Portland, Oregon

Hollywood Theatre
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
February. 3, 4, 10, 11, 2007

Download and Distribute Flyer and Letters to Politicians

Click here for information on previous protests

See the original media advisory for this event.

Feb. 3rd and 4th

                 

The fourth protest was a big success.  The organizers did an incredible job on this!! 

The weather was cool and rainy, typical for Portland, but the group was persistent and waited right outside the doors to catch the 20 to 30 movie goers as the waited to enter or left when the film ended.  (Attendance on all dates appeared similar.) 

                      

 There were between 15 and 20 protestors on Saturday, which included friends and relatives of left behind parents Brett Weed, T. Miklia, Eric Kalmus and Patrick Braden, Judy Maher of The Childseek Network,

      

When the theatre owners first saw the protestors, they came out and tried to explain that this film had nothing to do with this protest.  They had obviously been briefed by someone.  But the protestors were patient and as they explained the issues, the owners seemed to come around and understand.  They were certainly not happy about a protest at their doorstep, but they didn't cause any trouble.

There were at least two film crews there on February 3.  One included a film maker holding the boom mike and another who is 15 year veteran from major news networks, including CBS and NBC who has covered major events such as 911.

                       

 

 Here, Mikk had the opportunity to speak with a Korean War veteran who came to watch the documentary.

                        

(Here, Eric is talking to an Oregon politician.) 

On Sunday at 1:30, Eric attended the film, when it ended, he stood up while the credits were rolling and said: "My daughter Amy has been held in Japan since 1998.  I last saw her when she was 2 years old.  I am refused any and all visitation with her.  Japan is guilty of abduction as well as the North Koreans.  Our fight is very similar to the Yokota's fight, in getting Japan to realize the error of their ways.  Please show us the support that the Yokota's received from the Japanese. There are a group of left behind fathers located outside the theater and we are all willing to speak about the issue of International abduction.  Please stop on your way out and understand that this plight affects America as well. Thank you."

Feb. 10th & 11th

Although protestors were fewer on the 10th & 11th, Brett handed out flyers to attendees entering all shows.  The theater changed the timing of the second show from 1:30 & 3:30 to 1:30 & 5:15 so some people from the other show may also have received flyers, but that's ok too. Brett started telling people to write your representatives and Senators regarding the abduction issue. At the start of the first showing each day (more so on the 11th) the theater did not open the doors until about 1:15 so everyone in line had to listen to the protestors preach, until the theater let them in....  It was a great opportunity.  All shows the 10th & 11th had about 30-40 attendees per showing.

Interestingly, some people attending had heard about this problem from the LA protest.  Apparently word is getting out.  One woman even said that a son  or relative was going thru a similar situation.

A film was created from the Portland protest - Face The Truth