A Pyrrhic victory (/ˈpɪrɪk/) is a victory with such a devastating cost to the victor that it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat. We just witnessed a minor Pyrrhic victory for the One Percent this morning when the Portland police ousted Occupy Portland from its base at two adjacent parks in downtown Portland. The parks are now empty, enclosed by cyclone fences and guarded by many police officers.
Afterwards, Occupy Portland reassembled in Pioneer Courthouse Square to consider their options, which includes occupying other places, such as Portland State University, Waterfront Park or Pioneer Courthouse Square.
They’ve also invited Mayor Samuel Adams to join their discussion on their options. He is unlikely to accept. One citizen invited the assembled group to his house on Mt Tabor.
Despite losing the parks, Occupy Portland came out stronger in terms of numbers, sympathizers and public relations. In other words, the movement is growing. The Portland police also won in that they handled themselves with greater restraint than their peers in Oakland and New York City.
The One Percent lost a little, and maybe a lot, so this wasn’t quite a Pyrrhic victory; but the clash/eviction they demanded of their mayor was certainly a step in the right direction, but for Occupy Portland, not for the one percent.
You can view a live feed of the assembled meeting in Pioneer Courthouse Square by clicking on the link below.
