PORTLAND -- Vandals broke windows Tuesday night at a Starbucks and three banks in Portland, then the group that took credit for the crimes said it was a message for the Occupy movement.
Windows were smashed at a Starbucks, a Key Bank and a U.S. Bank in the Hollywood District, as well as a U.S. Bank at SE Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Main.
The U.S. Bank was vandalized about 10 p.m., the Hollywood businesses several hours later.
A group sent out several emails to the media, taking credit for the attacks they characterized as a prelude to a later Wednesday rally organized by Occupy Portland, calling out the group for its emphasis on peaceful marches.
The credit included the following statement:
"We chose a bank because banks have upheld the sanctity of capitalism, making it possible for a few people to accrue copious amounts of wealth. This was also for the role the banks have played in the current financial crisis and the level of environmental destruction they have supported. These banks are responsible for throwing poor and oppressed people the world over under the bus of extreme poverty and destitution.
We also did this to remind #Occupy to keep its horizons open. Rather than resort to the gory analogy about cats, we prefer to say they're more than one way to shut down a corporation. Parades through the city may be able to accomplish this task on occasion, but at the end of the day there's really no replacement for a few dozen folks in masks with rocks. We don't know whether this will be taken as solidarity or antagonism by the core of Occupy, but frankly that isn't worth dwelling on for us."
Occupy Portland activists were expected to gather later Wednesday morning in downtown Portland for what was characterized as a peaceful anti-corporate rally. That group calls the effort "F29" for February 29th.
More: Occupy Portland plans downtown march
On their twitter account, Occupy fired back Wednesday morning at the vandals. "To the rock tossers: Thank you for not hiding behind Occupy and forcing peaceful marchers to take a beating for you this time."
Earlier this month, Occupy Portland activists called out anarchists who resorted to vandalism during a march on police use of force. Some marchers turned on each other as windows in cars and a restaurant were broken.
More: Occupy Portland decries violence at march
An anti-bank march last November called N17 turned ugly, with activists accusing the police of excessive force and police saying they were trying to keep roadways clear. The conflict received national attention because of a dramatic use of pepper spray by police. An image from that protest captured by an Oregonian photographer received worldwide distribution through social networks.
More: 48 arrests downtown, police use pepper spray
