Police ask 'Occupy' protesters to clear road for downtown traffic

PORTLAND, Ore. – Police are asking Occupy Portland protesters to step aside for downtown traffic.

It may not be that easy.

Many protesters told KATU News they have no interest in clearing Main Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues.

“It’s important for us to show our voice, and if that means blocking off a street for a bunch of cars, then that’s what it means to me,” said protester Annabell Knight.

Police have allowed the group to block the street, but now say the protest needs to stop at the sidewalk.

“We do need to get it open,” said Sergeant Pete Simpson. “This is a major transit corridor coming off the Hawthorne Bridge.”

Some protesters told KATU News they believe they can find common ground with police, but most disagreed.

“If we keep moving to their needs and wants then it’s more like a parade than us standing up for what we believe in and what we’re here for,” said protester Jordan Brown. “I don’t want any violence or anything of that sort, but I feel like we need to make a point.”

Simpson said police have no plans to force protesters to leave the area.

“It’s a peaceful demonstration. Outside from being in the park after hours, there’s been no illegal activity,” said Simpson. “If that were to change and we were seeing criminal acts, criminal behavior on a daily basis, then certainly we’d be addressing it a little more strongly.”