REPORT FROM WSA IN PORTLAND
It seems the saying is true, “There are decades where nothing happens, and weeks where decades happen.” This week, we are confident to say, is one of those weeks. President Trump, in his continued attacks against the liberty of the American people, has deployed several federal agents to Portland, Oregon. This is yet another attempt by President Trump to use federal agents to stiffle popular opposition to his administration. First, the President targeted Los Angeles to subdue the protests against his immigration policy. Then he took aim at Washington D.C. after the carjacking of Edward Coristine (better known by his online nickname “Big Balls”). Then he turned to Memphis to “[restore] law and order”. Now, he has shifted his focus to Portland.
It was only a matter of time before the president shifted his focus to the City of Roses. Portland was a famous hub of discontent after the murder of George Floyd, which President Trump tried suppressing in his first term. Besides that, Portland is the only major US city with members of the Democratic Socialists of America controlling one-third of the city council. While the electoral method is not and has never been a viable route to revolution, the success of the DSA in Portland is, to quote the New York Times, “[playing] an outsize role in a city where Republicans are an endangered species.” This socialist influence in Portland is especially relevant as a groundswell of progressive candidates have emerged across the country to challenge the capitalist establishment (including in fellow Pacific Northwest city Seattle). And for that, Trump has decided to send troops.
The president knows that people are growing tired of his administration, so he is trying to silence people through strength. If he can suppress Portland without resistance, it is another domino falling that will allow him to become like the dictators he has sought to emulate since his first term. But he is failing. On October 4, Trump-appointed judge Karin Immergut temporarily blocked Trump from sending troops to Portland. However, Trump is already searching for ways around this ruling. Most recently, he floated invoking the Insurrection Act to force troops into Portland. Beyond that, he has already deployed 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago. No matter how many judicial blocks, how many strongly worded letters, how many governments tell him “no,” Trump will always ignore them. The only way forward now is resistance. The people of Portland must take their city back.
To that end, there is hope. Protests have broken out against Trump and ICE, despite threat of injury and arrest. More demonstrations were held on October 7 to protest the Trump Administration’s continued funding of the genocide in Gaza, a march on the Portland ICE facility is scheduled for the 12th, as well as a second round of No Kings protests that are scheduled for the 18th. The people of Portland are fed up. They are not willing to stand idly by while fascists try to take their city from them, and it is our duty to stand beside them. But beyond that, we must work to foster revolutionary potential. We have been given a chance to fight and win true liberty, true equality, and true solidarity. We cannot let it pass us by.
If freedom is dear to you, if you are tired of the continued assaults on our rights, if you are angry at the injustice in the world, now is the time to fight. In any way that you can, you must defy Trump and his fascists. Protest, speak out, organize. Times may seem desperate, and it is normal to feel confused. It is normal to not know what happens next. It is normal to be afraid. But you cannot let fear keep you from action. We are living through the passing of greed, of hateful men who fear the progress of society. But their hatred is not unstoppable. Their rule is not unstoppable. Because so long as humans can think for themselves, tyranny will falter. It will stumble and show its hand. And when it does that, its days are numbered.
Philly Metro Area WSA 