Portland protesters vie for president’s attention - KPTV - FOX 12
Member Center:
Protesters from several groups held rallies Tuesday in hopes of catching President Barack Obama's attention during his campaign visit to Portland.
"We're here today because we're calling on both President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to show real leadership and to step up and to call on the Congress and the Senate to reinstate the assault weapons bans that expired in 2004," said Penny Okamoto with Cease Fire Oregon.
The organization picketed near the Oregon Convention Center where the president spoke to supporters during a sold-out event. On the heels of the shooting rampage in Colorado, Cease Fire Oregon is among the groups hoping for tougher gun legislation.
"We want assault weapons banned, we want the ammunition banned and we want it banned now," Okamoto said.
Bradly Steinman was among the protesters sharing the streets outside the convention center. He was an Obama supporter in 2008 who is upset with the federal government's involvement in marijuana laws.
"I'm not a single issue voter, but his behavior regarding this cause is enough to make me not want to support him anymore," Steinman said.
On the South Park Blocks in downtown Portland, dozens gathered for a rally about the economy.
"It's about jobs and the economy and the government needs to get out of the way of the ability for us to allow businesses to create jobs," said Karla Kay Edwards with Americans for Prosperity. "One of our main focuses today is to talk about the potential jobs for the export coal industry that is looking at coming (to Portland)."
Edwards said coal exports could bring 1,500 permanent jobs. Meanwhile, another group that opposes coal exports also held a gathering hoping to persuade the president against supporting the industry.
All the protests attended by Fox 12 were peaceful.
Copyright KPTV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
 | 
|
