Occupy Portland-Pink Martini-Storm Large Concert/Rally-Pioneer Square

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• published: 29 Oct 2011
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PORTLAND, OR—In solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Portland movements, Pink Martini will present 'This Land Is Our Land'—a free concert / super-rally & community sing-a-long extravaganza in Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday, October 28, 12noon-1:30pm with the purpose of providing a thinking person's guide to the Occupy Wall Street / Occupy Portland movements. The rally will open with a set of songs performed by Storm Large and Pink Martini and members of the Oregon Symphony, followed by a community sing-a-long with songs like "This Land is Your Land" and "Home on the Range". Interspersed throughout will be short and inspiring speeches by political, labor and religious leaders, including: • Rabbi Emanuel Rose, Rabbi Emeritus Congregation Temple Beth Israel • The Very Reverend Bill Lupfer of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, • The Reverend Bill Sinkford of the First Unitarian Church • The Reverend Lynne Smouse López of Ainsworth United Church of Christ • Imam Mikal Shabazz • Congressman Earl Blumenauer • President Tom Chamberlain of Oregon AFL-CIO • Representatives from Occupy Portland • Community activist and author Kathleen Saadat 'This Land is Our Land' rally will be a fun and festive gathering which articulates support for Occupy Portland / Occupy Portland and inspires people to get involved in a peaceful movement for social and economic justice. "This is the biggest social and economic justice movement of our times" says Pink Martini bandleader Thomas Lauderdale. "When the 400 wealthiest Americans have a greater combined net worth than the bottom 150 million Americans, something's wrong. When the top 1% of Americans possess more wealth than the entire bottom 90%, something's wrong. Through this concert and rally, we hope to bring intelligent and thoughtful dialogue to the table and in the process, gather wider and broader support for this movement." "The Occupy movement is my first experience of witnessing a genuine American uprising," says Storm Large. "One without guns, threats of violence,or even shouting down people who don't agree. An uprising without discrimination or dull-eyed, hateful separatist decrees. It is an articulate conversation, as opposed to the B.S. bumper sticker soundbites our own government can't seem to stop spewing. Instead of the typical "Us vs. Them" mentality or schoolyard bullying tactics, the rag tag group in Zuccotti Park have inspired the World with their cool headed dedication to getting answers and finding solutions. I am honored to support this movement, and lend my small voice to the huge and growing chorus of real democracy being born, like a new star taking shape." Says community activist and author Kathleen Saadat, "We can use this opportunity to explore and express ideas and formulate goals that, if articulated, championed and insisted upon, will make life better for 99% of the population. We support and want to gain attention for Occupy Portland, get people out of their offices to sing and dance and hopefully talk with one another about what this movement might mean for all of us." What: 'This Land Is Our Land'—a free concert / super-rally & community sing-a-long extravaganza Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square -- Downtown Portand When: Friday, October 28, 12noon-1:30pm Photos/Video By: Guy Bodin The Image Factor Portland Oregon