Philippines Corruption
Filipino student protesters wearing masks tried to get near the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Nov. 5, 2013.
(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Some 400 protesters are expected to march in Portland next Wednesday, but what they'll be marching for remains unclear.
That's because unlike most protests, which traditionally focus around one central issue or idea, the Million Mask March, organized by hacktivist group Anonymous, seems to focus around the idea of protests in general.
The November 5 rally in Portland will be a part of a global event, featuring protesters wearing the now-iconic Guy Fawkes mask, a depiction of the well-known member of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up the House of Lords in London.
While Fawkes and his fellow plotters acted on behalf of persecuted Catholics in England, the modern-day protestors don't have as well-defined an issue.
According to the global Million Mask March website, the enemies of the protest are "billionaires who own banks and corporations, who corrupt politicians who enslave the people in injustice."
The Portland protest takes a calmer and more inclusive approach, claiming the march is focused on "bringing activists of every color and focus together to share information and positive energy, showing the power of free and caring people, and celebrating the rising consciousness of the human race."
You can think of it as an open source protest: The structure exists on a global scale, available for smaller, local groups to use for their own purposes. In that way, the Million Mask March in Beirut will likely look different from the Million Mask March in Alberta, for example.
While it seems like the Portland protesters are especially focused on peace, they have good reason – police interrupted last year's inaugural march, arresting one protester after he allegedly threw an egg at an officer.
In response, some participants this year seem to be going out of their way to promote peace toward police. On the event's Facebook page, organizers are urging peace and positivity, while attendee John Spire is encouraging people to hug random officers.
"Yeah I know it is weird and some of us dislike them, but what are they going to do when they are getting random hugs?" Spire wrote. "Turn them to our side!"
The Portland event will also double as a food, clothing and supply drive for Portland's homeless population. Organizers are asking protesters to bring clothing, blankets, backpacks, sleeping bags, food and supplies for local nonprofit Right 2 Dream Too. The drive will be a local arm of Anonymous' Op Safe Winter program.
The march is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, starting at N.W. 8th and Burnside. An open rally will follow the march, at which representatives of any local protest groups are invited to speak about their causes. It will coincide with a feast for the marchers, sponsored by a handful of local restaurants.
It might not have a set cause, but Portland's Million Mask March is looking to set an example for protests and marches to come.
"Do not bring negative energy or intentions that would be dangerous to yourself or others around you," organizers wrote. "Remember that EVERY thing you do changes the world."
--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB