UPDATE:

Chris Hardman, Portland Marathon course director, just arrived here at Chapman Park with two police escorts.

"I think it's pretty cool," he said of

Occupy Portland. "I'm a citizen myself and a big fan of the First Amendment."



The meeting between Hardman and Occupy organizers is starting now in front of the elk statue on Main Street.

"We're not here to tell anyone what to do," Hardman told the crowd. "If I didn't have the marathon, I'd be out here myself. I'm not angry at all, about anything."

A crowd member yelled, "Yeah, you're the man!" Hardman continued to warn protesters that the Chapman-Lownsdale squares area will become a secure red zone.

"Believe it or not, the fencing has nothing to do with you guys. We've been planning this thing for more than a year," he said.

The work starts Saturday morning around 8, and volunteers begin arriving at 4:30 Sunday morning. The race starts at 7.

Hardman asked organizers to stay out of the "red zone" this Sunday. Protesters who don't move will be escorted out, he said, "for the safety of everyone."

Les Smith, the event director for the Portland Marathon, earlier said he's confident the two sides will reach an agreement. The marathon starts and ends near Lownsdale and Chapman squares along Main Street, but runners and volunteers don't actually use the space. The squares would be fenced off the day of the race to keep runners from harming the grass.

Instead of causing a confrontation, Smith said, the fuss over the space will likely just draw more attention to the race.

"I'm kind of excited about it," he said. "Its given people a great opportunity to look at our event."

Smith hasn't been personally involved in negotiations with Occupy Portland organizers, but said a compromise could include some protesters joining the marathon's volunteers or demonstrating somewhere where they'd be in full view of the marathon and half marathon's 15,000 runners.

At noon today, the crowd in Chapman Square numbered about 100, with protesters lining a traffic barrier at Southwest Main Street and Third Avenue.

"Whose streets? Our streets!" they were yelling.

A table covered with food from donuts to veggies and a medical tent marked by a giant red cross are open to the crowd, who've come to self-designated medics with "mild problems – cuts on puppies and headaches," said massage therapist and medical committee member Laura Jones.

"I'm fine with it because it's for a good cause," said Karrinton Adams as he drove down Third Avenue at lunchtime.

Others weren't so supportive. "I feel about the protest the same way I feel about talking to The Oregonian," said a Line 14 bus driver headed downtown over the Hawthorne Bridge this morning around 9:30 a.m. His bus and seven other TriMet lines were rerouted.

Occupy Portland

The mayor's office said that Sam Adams hasn't yet finished negotiation with Occupy organizers, Portland Marathon directors and city staff. He hopes to craft a solution that "accommodates everyone," said Communications Director Amy Ruiz.

"Arrest is our last resort," Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said this morning. So far, two arrests have been made, both for graffiti to downtown vehicles and buildings.

Callers are keeping the phone lines busy at the Portland Marathon between runners calling to find out the status of the race and Occupy Portland supporters urging Marathon organizers to share the park space.

An automated response to inquiries by email, as well as a marathon news release, says there's no need for concern.

"We will find a compromise that meets the needs of both parties," it reads. "We are working closely with the City and representatives from Occupy Portland to reach a solution.

On the

: "We are looking forward to a great 40th Anniversary Portland Marathon this weekend!

All events are going on as planned for a successful, safe and fun weekend. Event participants, spectators, volunteers as well as protesters need not be concerned.

We understand the intention of those protesting at Occupy Portland. We will find a compromise that meets the needs of both parties. We are working closely with the City and representatives from Occupy Portland to reach a solution."

Portland Police Bureau press release:

On October 7, 2011, representatives from Occupy Portland, the Portland Marathon, the Mayor's office, and the City of Portland met to discuss plans for Chapman Park and Lownsdale Square.

After the conclusion of yesterday's successful march, numerous people asked for permission to camp in the parks overnight. Those camping were told that the Portland Marathon has had a long-standing permit that began on October 7 at 9 a.m., to allow for preparations before Sunday's Portland Marathon. This morning, Occupy Portland's General Assembly held a press conference and stated that they were in support of the Portland Marathon and wanted to work collaboratively on an agreement that would suit the needs of both organizations.

The communication between all the parties has been marked by a desire to be collaborative. At this time, discussions are productive, but have not reached a final conclusion. We will release further updates as discussions progress.

The mood in the parks is relaxed, and people who are camping are otherwise following park rules. The Police Bureau will continuously monitor the camping situation, but are not expecting any large-scale issues.

Last night, one man and one juvenile were arrested by Central Precinct night shift officers after they were observed by a citizen "tagging" several locations in Downtown Portland, including a marked Portland Police Bureau patrol car. The Portland Police Bureau will make arrests as necessary, as we are committed to public safety. However, we believe there is a spirit of cooperation with Occupy Portland, and that participants are educating each other in an effort to deter further criminal activity.

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