His wife, daughter, and granddaughter...

...are all TriMet drivers. His name is James Marks, and he's outraged that this man is running Portland's transport agency as a corporation and not as a public service. New policies raise fares for old people and people with disabilities, aim enforcement of fares at Black communities, and will slap fines of $175 on anyone caught riding public transport without a ticket. Fare inspectors, according to the new rules, are not allowed to issue warnings to riders found traveling without valid tickets and have been given quotas: they must fine four riders per hour. The people being targeted for enforcement of these new rules are the ones least likely to be able to afford the fines.

Today was the day to "Occupy TriMet" (our city transportation service). All day Occupiers were riding buses and streetcars, passing out leaflets and informing passengers of the planned changes. This action was set for the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and an Occupier named Dan Kaufman read one of King's speeches at the 4 p.m. rally and march. It was misting rain, windy, and bitterly cold, but about a hundred people turned out to protest the new fare policies.

If you would be willing to sign an internet petition protesting these changes, please click here. Be sure to check the boxes below your name appropriately. After you sign, they will request money, but you can just close that window. If you don't subscribe, they won't keep your information.

I'm working on the story for the Occupier tonight, so I won't be able to do comments. I am missing your journals but hope to return to them tomorrow night. Pictures of the rally and march, and some of the drivers and union members, are here.