May Day 2012

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plans to "liberate" a parcel of property today, May Day.

At a news conference last week in front of

, three representatives of Occupy Portland and a spokesman from

outlined demonstrations planned for today, which around the world is celebrated as

.

Taran Connolly, representing an Occupy offshoot called the

, said the group will rally in

at 9 a.m., then march to a property and "reclaim what is rightfully ours," Connolly said.

1:34 p.m.:

The "liberation" of Alicia Jackson's house on Northeast Bryant is winding down.

All the blackberries are gone; Alicia Jackson, in red jacket, watches backyard transformation. #m1pdx pic.twitter.com/GIhjVFgT — Kimberly A.C. Wilson (@kacw) May 1, 2012

12:32 p.m.:

New locks are going on the doors by the protesters who "liberated" the house. The crowd is smaller, but the microphone out front is loud.

12:02 p.m.:

There are a lot of familiar faces in the crowd here, and little police presence.

11:25 a.m.:

Crowd brings out foil trays with spaghetti, corn salad, lentils, and peanut butter cookies. James Brown is on the stereo.

The garden and lawn reclamation work continues.

11:05 a.m.:

Protesters are creating a "reclaimed garden" in the backyard of the house. People are pulling weeds and replanting garden.

Gardeners design a veg bed in backyard of house in 50-blk of NE Bryant. "That's burdock,"pointing to mowed bed #m1pdx pic.twitter.com/j1emFdox — Kimberly A.C. Wilson (@kacw) May 1, 2012

10:48 a.m.:

Jackson says she's been out of her house since August, says "home is where the heart is." Crowd is dancing to "Knee Deep."

10:43 a.m.:

Speaker is addressing a crowd of a few hundred from the front porch of the home. They are also blocking Northeast Bryant and cheering Jackson.

KGW is reporting that the key to the door came from a broken lockbox.

Crowd is eager to move Jackson back into her home.





10:38 a.m.:

Before Jackson got the key to the house from the organizers, they stretched a yellow ribbon across the door, which she cut with garden sheers. She went in the side door, which the key unlocked, and came to the front door and opened it. She came out and spoke to the crowd. No one is in the house at this time.





10:26 a.m.:

Alicia Jackson opens the door and enters her foreclosed home. She bought the house in 2004. According to Portland Maps, the property is valued at $242,000.

10:18 a.m.:

Alicia Jackson says she plans to move back in to the foreclosed house at 523 N.E. Bryant. Police are standing by. KGW reports at least 100 protesters are gathered at the home, plan to retake it from the bank. The keys to the house don't work on the front door. Protesters try a side door and it works. Crowd cheers, "Welcome home," KGW reports.

10:13 a.m.:

The house is a brick home with a sign out front that says "Welcome home, Alicia" The marchers are on the porch, but haven't tried to enter the home yet, KGW reports.

10:10 a.m.:

Marchers have stopped at a house at Northeast Sixth and Bryant. They've stopped at 523 NE Bryant.

10:05 a.m.:

Marchers are on the move. They started west on Northeast Dekum, then turned north on Northeast Sixth Ave.

9:45 a.m.:

Crowd grows to about 200 people. A multicultural mix.

Alice Paul of Portland Liberation Organizing Council is speaking to the crowd. They are to begin heading to a home to liberate.

9:30 a.m.:

Connolly says the group hopes to return a family to their home or create a community center.

About 100 people have gathered in Woodlawn Park and are listening to speeches before "taking a space" from banks. March leaders declare "liberation" action a "police free zone."

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The Oregonian