Portland

I was as frightened as I have ever been in all the years that I have attended rallies, as I prepared to join the Buddhist Peace Fellowship in Portland this morning for our sitting meditation. The recent events in Portland had heightened my fears that there would be violence. Our meditation was well-attended, peaceful and reassuring. Some of those arriving in the park joined us, and others just appreciated our presence. Several rallies unfolded together in the adjacent parks as the day progressed, and feelings on all sides were intense and vocal. The Homeland Security forces, the Portland Police and the State Troopers were in riot gear, heavily armed and in large numbers.