I just offered to open my apartment to the Occupation (eeek!)

[Rabblevox]

I just sent this to Occupy Portland:

Hello Occupiers!

Health and money problems have prohibited me for participating/contributing much to the Occupation so far, but I've been trying to think of ways I could help.

I could most certainly handle some of the "grunt-work" email and DB/spreadsheet stuffs from home.

I would also be willing to bring 2 occupiers/day to my downtown studio (11th and Burnside, near Powell's) for a hot shower/load of laundry.

I live in subsidized housing, and the bathroom is "down the hall", but laundry is free. My lease limits me to two visitors/day. I would need some way to "vett" that the people I bring into my home were a functional part of the Occupation. They would need to supply their own soap/toiletries. And they would need to have picture ID.

My name is Richard Walden, I'm a former community organizer for Sisters Of The Road, 2-term board member of the Old Town/Chinatown Neighborhood Association, a member of PPEHRC (Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign) I am well versed in consensus process, and 100% in support of the Occupation.

If this could be helpful, please contact me.

This is a scary fucking step for me, but it feels right. It's something that I can realistically do, right now.

And I've gotta do something!

[sabrina 1]

1. Good for you.

That is a great way to help for those who cannot actually be there.

I'm sure some of the organizers will be able to make sure the people who accept your offer are legitimate members of the group.

[lpbk2713]

2. You might want to reconsider posting your name here.

Just a word to the wise. :eyes:


Good gesture on your part BTW.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. And your address. I've seen web sites concentrating upon DU and consider such fair game.

However, on the general positive side:

:hug::woohoo::applause::hi:

[Rabblevox]

7. I gave up on the fiction of "online privacy" a long time ago. I never post anything illegal or...

embarrassing (at least not embarrassing to me, my grand-kids can piss up a rope), and in my line of work, this earns me bonus points.

So why be shy?

[lpbk2713]

9. OK ... your call.

Kudos for a thoughtful gesture that I'm sure will be appreciated.

[Chan790]

33. Why be shy?

Well, frankly, because some of those running anti-DU sites and their membership are scary people.

I say that having been stalked by them, had them find the contact information of friends and family and harass them. Had them file anonymous complaints with my employer (the best one was the one that called up and said I'd yelled "Fuck You" at her...because nobody else would have noticed that in the bank...and I was on vacation and nowhere near DC at the time.) I'd not put actual physical violence past some few of them...but it only takes one violent idiot.

I'm not the only one who has had this experience with anti-DU stalking.

You should not post this information because it endangering to not merely yourself but your friends, family and neighbors and how you feel about that is irrelevant to the maximum measure. I feel strongly enough about this that I've urged on more than one occasion to admins that this sort of naivety get the auto-delete regardless of the feelings of the poster.

[babydollhead]

3. you are very nice!

[greytdemocrat]

5. And very naive. Good luck

[Cal Carpenter]

11. Why is that naive?

There are people doing this at many of the sites.

You don't think the long-time occupiers need a shower/laundry once in a while?

You think they are all shady characters or something?

[Raine]

20. Movements get infiltrated by people with other

agendas, to think otherwise is naive.

[Cal Carpenter]

21. What makes you think I don't know that?

Or that the OP, who has obviously been around when it comes to activism, doesn't know that?

I've actually met a few in my day.

The worst effect of infiltrators is that people then think they can't trust anyone else in the movement.

What a shame.

[K8-EEE]

23. Wow we are so trained to be suspicious of each other

I realize safety is a concern but I give the OP props to realize that these are extraordinary times and that movements and revolutions can't be all, oh what if all my fellow protestors are trying to kill me?

Odds are, the people who take up this offer will be appreciative and polite about it....

[LanternWaste]

34. It's not just for breakfast anymore...

Trendy Cynicism. Brought to you by the Madison Avenue suits. Purchased profusely by the gullible as a wonderful style accessory (looks wonderful with an X-Files tee). Consumed by the masses in gallon jugs (tastes even better with three tablespoons of Justification, and a dash of Rationalizing).

It's not just for breakfast anymore. :shrug:

[Desertrose]

4. Just a thought....

but you might want to remove some of your personal info from this post.

Lots of crazies lurk here sometimes.....

Good for you for opening your home to help out OWS/Portland. :)

[Zorra]

8. Got any beer, bro?

:toast:

[Rabblevox]

18. Yeah, got $1.50 for a bottle? My compassion only goes so far. ;) /nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. Fantastic!

Though I do agree you should remove your personal info from you post.

There is a great need for "safe houses" where the longterm occupiers can get sleep, shower, and generally relax a bit. I've been cooking so far, but am thinking about offering showers/hang time on the weekends - I have roommates, so it is a little more complicated for me. :(

Thanks for doing that!

[elocs]

12. Congratulations! I have said this is exactly what needs to be done to support the occupations.

Especially in the north where it will be getting cold. There's nothing like a little timeout, something warm to eat or drink, and a nice hot shower with even just a nap to revive one's spirits when the cold is getting into your bones.

Not everyone can be at an occupation, but those living in the area can play an important support role for the ones on the front lines.

[procon]

13. First, be safe...

All well intentions aside, in this day and age, inviting two strangers into your home seems a bit too risky. I applaud your spirit, so put your talents in writing and your organizational skills to use where you can effectively reach a far wider audience than your shower ever will.

Stay safe.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

14. Wow, that's super nice of you!!! Be careful (you never know if someone might not be OWS)...

But otherwise, you are one awesome person!

[MedicalAdmin]

15. Excellent.

And you live next to powells, which is, in my opinion, as close as one can get to heaven on earth.

[Poll_Blind]

16. Be careful about who you take in! Oh, and you hella rock!

But please be careful! Maybe have friends or acquaintances there with you when you have these people over.

:hug:

I'm interested in posts from you about how this goes, too!

PB

[Rabblevox]

17. To those who have voiced concern about me posting my name and identifiable info...

I appreciate the concern. But I believe it is literally time to "Take the masks off". I am who I am. I am neither stupid nor naive. "The Man" is already quite aware of who/where I am (arrested in multiple protests, testified in City Council many times, interviewed by our largest daily, did radio programs re:hunger and homelessness, etc...).

There are basically two choices online. You can either jump through hoop after hoop pretending that your identity is secure, OR you can be who you are. The rat bastards already know. But most of the "good guys" do not. They should.

If any creeps/Freeps manage to suss out my address, they are more than welcome to knock on my door. They will NOT like the response.

[K8-EEE]

24. I really admire you

Frankly I am not brave enough to do what you are doing but I aspire to be! I don't live close enough to an Occupy to be of that kind of assistance but did take donations down to Occupy L.A. and people were lovely

[barbtries]

26. thank you rabblevox

as you can see by my sig line i am easily identifiable. have been for years. never had any problems yet. as for letting occupiers into your place, great idea. you be fine.

[coalition_unwilling]

19. Bravo! You are an American patriot in the finest sense of the

word!

[Remember Me]

22. That's incredible.

I think you're very courageous, and absolutely WONDERFUL.

[onestepforward]

25. What a gift!

I'm sure you'll make 2 people a day very happy!
:loveya:

[tama]

27. "My lease limits me to two visitors/day."

Land of the free...

[lunatica]

28. I've heard they have committees doing different things so maybe

One of those committees can create a list where people can sign up for getting a shower and doing laundry. Then two can go at a time.

It has struck me that the Occupy groups are highly organized in their community activities. This would assure that it's the community's choice so no 'strangers' show up. They know who are actually doing the local occupying and they can pick from that group.

[Patiod]

29. Our chuch is doing the same in Philadelphia

http://integrallife.com/member/stanley/blog/quakers-occupy-philadelphia

But I think your offer is more difficult and scary than theirs. Quakers risk little in opening their and Meetinghouse and kitchen; and you risk quite a bit. But we all have to "walk the walk", and you're doing just that.

Good luck; I hope all goes well and I'll be thinking about you and as we say "holding you in the Light".

[lumberjack_jeff]

30. In my experience, individuals are generally honest.

I hope that this works out for you.

[joanbarnes]

31. God bless you brother!

[Rabblevox]

32. For all the kind words (and the concern) heartfelt thanks. I think it's going to work out fine....

and if it doesn't, well, shit. Life is ultimately fatal for all of us. I believe in the Occupation, and feel that I have to find MY way to support it.

I've given a bit of food/wet-weather gear/batteries, but finances don't give me much play here (on Unemployment). I've shown up for Occupation marches and rallies when able, but a bad back sharply limits my "on my feet" time. I'm not a gifted writer, videographer, or hacker (plus there are already geniuses doing this work).

I made it clear that my offer was only for people who were a functional part of the Occupation. I'm neither stupid nor naive and will take sensible precautions. But honestly, I don't expect trouble from this.

I haven't heard back from Occupy PDX yet, but I'll keep y'all posted.

I encourage all of you to think about how YOU can support the Occupation closest to you.

http://www.occupypdx.org

http://www.occupytogether.org/

[handmade34]

35. Thank you

and I love what you are doing... I wish I lived near an OWS encampment so I could offer the same... I have a box of warm clothes ready to send off to somewhere ( Boston maybe)...

Rabblevox, you are awesome!! :hug:

[LanternWaste]

36. I think you're doing an absolute good. +1! eom

I think you're doing an absolute good. +1!

[renate]

37. you are wonderful!

:loveya:

[Doc Holliday]

38. A bold step, and substantial, too....

Here I thought I was helping out by taking coffee and snacks down to our local (Lubbock, TX) Occupiers. (That feeling of sitting on the sidelines was getting to be a bit much.)

I have a rent house which is currently unoccupied, being in mid-renovation. The power's on and the water runs.

Thanks for the inspiration, RV. :yourock:

[Rabblevox]

39. Doc, you ARE helping! Don't downplay your efforts. And welcome to DU! /nt

[Ken Burch]

40. That is solidarity in the truest sense.

Now, if we can get some of those celebrities who "drop by" the Occupations to, say, have benefit concerts(especially since, as the cops escalate, there will be a need for a legal defense fund)that would also help.

You are a good person...and there are a lot of people out there who will probably join in as you have now that they've seen your example.

[Enthusiast]

41. God bless you. kr NT