A recent social media trend has been for people in certain cities to post examples of how the streets really are from a local’s perspective. Specifically, these are the cities deemed by Dump to be so dangerous and out of control that he needs to send in the military to “protect” us. My only accurate perspective is Portland, because I live here. Recently Dump said about Portland, “What they’ve done to that place, it’s like living in hell.”
Los Angeles has famously been occupied by federal agents since June, and has even had a judge determine that the occupation was unlawful, but the city is not yet freed from oppression. Our capitol, Washington, D.C. is on the list of course. I see images of military occupation among the monuments of democracy and freedom every day in the news, which is surreal. New York is in his sights, and Baltimore, and New Orleans. Also Chicago and Memphis, Tennessee. Of course, Portland is always a target. He sent in the feds in 2020 to the shock and horror of our mayor and governor, and caused all kinds of chaos from which we are only now recovering.
It’s a contentious topic because these cities and states are NOT ASKING for federal occupation, and in the US, state law enforcement is separate from federal law enforcement. The states in question have declared that their own law enforcement is adequate for the jobs they need to do. It is illegal for the government to send in federal troops in most cases. The last time the federal government overruled states and forced federal agents in to do the bidding of the President was in 1963. At that time, federal agents were required to protect Black students who wanted to integrate college campuses.
What makes 2025 completely different, is that the feds are being sent in – not to protect the people! – to make sure immigration (ICE) agents are free to kidnap, detain, and then disappear people. To support the occupations, Dump has declared that immigrants are all criminals and putting everyone in danger. He has sent the feds to protect ICE and keep the US citizens from protesting ICE and trying to prevent them from disappearing our neighbors. It is true: citizens have been protesting, disrupting, and complicating the actions of ICE in multiple communities, causing them to waste time and resources so they are not free to go detain more people. If we are really so scared of immigrants, why are so many of us risking our safety to protect them?
But Dump says he is “protecting” us. He says the streets of our cities are so scary that we are quaking in our boots and desperate for the defese the feds can offer. He lies and lies about the unsafe conditions of our streets, in order to convince his base that the people of these cities really are desperate for help. That’s where the joke comes in – we are trying to show the world images of our actual streets, so that they can see for themselves our day to day life, and how the truth is that we are fine, and Dump is lying. The situation on the streets of the occupied cities are no worse, and often better, than the streets of unoccupied cities. In other words, it’s all a ruse.
You’ll notice that the list of cities he wants to occupy does not match the cities with the highest crime rates. This is suspected to be because the cities he wants to unlawfully occupy are the cities that actively stand up to his fascism.
Pedro and I went for a walk this weekend after the Cherokee meeting. As we neared the Alberta District, we passed this tiny trailer parked on the street and made into an art exhibit of sorts. A sign identifies it as the Imaginarium. Luckily a cyclist with spouse and kids were also there, and he explained to us that the owner of the camper makes it available to anyone to walk in and look around. Pens and paper are provided to write notes. Visitors are encouraged to sit and stay, and we witnessed a woman climbing to the top to sit on the patio on top of the van, with a stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear under the umbrella.
Pedro and I been out and about a little more than usual lately. It has given me an opportunity to witness the hellscape and violence of my beloved city of Portland. Please be safe out there.
Conscious Engagement 
We had 20 wonderful years living in Portland, first on Mount Tabor and later in Ladd’s Addition. It was one of the greatest places we’ve lived. 😁 Sorry to hear that Big Dump now thinks “…it’s like living in hell.” That must be why, in your photos, you and Pedro look absolutely terrified! Especially those boot glasses! (I may have drunk beer out of a boot once but it wasn’t glass and that memory is mercifully hazy). Or is Big Dump lying (again). 😉
I’m so glad you are a fan of Portland. I have loved it since the day I arrived in 2007. Gosh no, it’s not perfect. But it is great. I lived in Montavilla for a while, at the bottom of Mt. Tabor. I used to walk to the top and back on my lunch break and always pined for a life in one of those gorgeous houses. I hope you were in one of them. Ladd’s Addition is another beautiful neighborhood. Thanks for your comment and stay safe. ❤
It reminds me a lot of parts of New England, which is very beautiful. Maybe Dump is jealous of that gorgeous scenery, cultural, and arts scene.
Aha! Jealousy could explain it. I think Burlington is a similar artsy and independent-minded city. Portland, Oregon is a beautiful place to live and it does celebrate arts and culture. I’m happy this is where I landed.
Oh the horror. Such a terrible lot of goings on in the streets of Portland. I am glad Pedro had you there for protection 😁
I’ve been practicing my ninja moves too! He was safe as long as we were together. 🙂
👍🏼😀
Showing the reality is the best protest
This could be true. It has all the markings of an impactful statement, and is not mean or violent. Everybody’s talking over each other these days and not listening. This way, there’s no talking, just pictures. Take from them what you will. 😉
Quite so
I’m ready for Dump to be dumped. Daughter works downtown Portland and is right in the thick of what isn’t there. 🙂 One must seriously questions someone’s sanity. I miss being there. All the places you have mentioned are favorites.
So funny: H is in the middle of what isn’t there. I’m glad I could remind you of places you love. I was at a National Wildlife Refuge this morning, and someone there recommended that I go to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I seem to recall you like it there, too. When the trees really start turning colours, I’ll go to the garden and take some pics.
I did go to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden several times. It was close to where my sister lived at the time. Quite impressive.
Once again, Crystal, your defense of Portland is right on. And guess what, Trump doesn’t give a crap. I was in LA when Trump started his reign of terror. In fact Peggy and I saw the troop transports he was sending up San Diego. I’m convinced that Trump wants to create a mini-revolution against him so he can declare martial law and totally take over the government.
I’m afraid I suspect this motive, as well. He has talked multiple times about staying on as President after this term. I believe he is stupid, but not so stupid that he doesn’t understand what that means. He is going to do absolutely anything he can to remain in power. Thank the gods he is an old man and will die soon, but every day he remains alive gives him the opportunity to hurt the world in new reprehensible ways. I am startled to see how King Charles just brought him in and genuflected like all the rest – most likely to get a good trade deal. It’s disgusting how nearly every leader is willing to make themselves into a doormat for that wretched human to do his continued damage. There is only one Dump (plus his billionaire buddies) vs. the rest of the planet!! Why do so many decide, as a group, to obey? It’s just crazy. Ooof. I guess I needed to rant. Ok, I’m done! 🙂
It must have been chilling to be a witness to the troops in California. There is so much fear. Pedro has been noticing that patient visits in hospital records have dropped drastically in areas with a lot of immigrants. They are so scared of ICE they are not getting their health care. This, naturally, has tremendous long-term impacts, that the Dump won’t care one whit about.
Rant away, my friend. I’m not sure we can rant enough to cover how truly evil the man is.
I’ve been jumping around trying to read as many of your posts I haven’t yet read, Crystal. I have been so busy, but so were you AND you wrote about it. Writing and creating only come to me in quiet moments, and I’m always slightly envious of those who can manage it despite the busy-ness of life.
This post is a stark reminder of the effects and lies of the fear mongering of politicians, and the craziness of the rise of right-wing politics all over the world. I listen to a podcast called ‘Good Food’ that focuses on food news in Southern California, so I am familiar with these ICE raids. How horrific. It is also very disconcerting that André Ventura, the leader of Chega, the right wing party here in Portugal has slowly been growing his support base so that it is now the main opposition party. Let’s hope that the goodness in people will trump the fear of the ‘other’.
Jolandi, it has been very educational. After learning about the rise of Nazis and the Holocaust in school, I have wondered all my life how it could happen? Why didn’t the people do anything? Why didn’t they realize or investigate or even seem to care what was going on in their very own neighborhoods? Oh, but now I know, because it is my own country and neighbors and family behaving exactly the same way. And it just breaks my heart. There are a combination of things: fear, complacency, lies from our leaders. The urge to feel safe makes people not want to know. So they hear the news and think, “It must be an exaggeration,” and immediately forget about it. Also, the White House threatens to remove the broadcast license of media outlets if they displease them, so we are not getting the news accurately anymore. Not from anyone, except social media – and that is fraught because you have to carefully pick and choose which ones are real and which ones are designed to cause more trouble. But the only accurate, real-time, news I get any more is from TikTok. And in the United States of America, it is a shame to say that. Also, it will likely change soon because the administration just made a deal to change ownership of TikTok in the US (which all the free speech lovers assume is one more way to control information). This country, so proud of it’s free speech and independence – filled to the brim these days with people eager to genuflect to the President and give him ultimate power. I am astonished. I spend time every day actively trying to keep myself from fear, because that is how I win on a personal level.
I know what you mean about being busy AND posting. Maybe it’s a different personality type. When I am bursting with emotions, writing helps me feel better, even if I don’t write what I am thinking about. So that explains some of my posts.
I am glad to hear that writing is a grounding practice for you, Crystal. Your explanation of life in the US at the moment is very sobering. I am simply flabergasted that this is even possible to happen. I hope you can find the beauty and joys of life on a daily basis amidst the bigger insanity. Big hug my friend. 💚
Not sure how I missed this post! I am with you on highlighting the absurdity. I’m also very much with you on writing things down to make sense of them (when it’s even possible, of course). Perhaps when his supporters figure out that his attacks are not as precise as he would lead us to believe, and it begins to touch their neighbors and kids and pocketbooks. My uneasiness in the world is due to just one factor: a regime full of racists and fascists in our midst. I am mortified that there are still folks defending this brazen cruelty. Sigh. I try not to hate, but I deeply hate what’s happening in this country.
Yes, Bonnie, like you I am compelled to record this. I’m not exactly sure what lies at the base of my motivation. But for posterity; for my own sanity; for my friends reading from other countries; for a true record of day to day experience, I feel it is important to record all of this. I am mortified too. With a deep exploration of what happened in 2025, I think I will begin to understand how human atrocities on a large scale happened around the world. I keep using the word “disappeared” intentionally, to explain that ICE is disappearing innocent people. I learned that word when I learned about the Madres de Plaza de Mayo whose children were disappeared in Chilean and Argentinian dictatorships. I feel that the US is going through one of these world incidents that will be taught in schools one day, as a cautionary tale.