Downtown - The weekly demonstrations have gone on for months, with each side labeling the other instigator
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
SU-JIN YIM

Every Saturday, anti-fur protesters show up. Nearly every Saturday, furriers Gregg and Linda Schumacher call the police.

In a battle of wills that has the authorities scrambling for a nonviolent end, those are the facts everyone agrees on.

The demonstrations started in November after Schumacher Furs and Outerwear moved to Southwest Morrison Street at Park Avenue. The company launched advertising to promote the new store, said owner Gregg Schumacher.

Now, 20 to 30 protesters keep showing up, in part because the retailer antagonizes them, according to police and City Commissioner Randy Leonard.

The Schumachers, whose family-owned business is more than 100 years old, say they and their customers are constantly harassed by protesters. And, they say, they're appalled that police haven't done more to help.

"We aren't asking for laws to be changed," Gregg Schumacher said. "We're just asking them to enforce the laws. And the protests will go away."

He said police have ignored crimes at their store, including trespassing, graffiti and disorderly conduct.

Police have clashed with protesters, but Central Precinct Cmdr. Dave Benson said most of the activists aren't breaking the law. Police have arrested three protesters, and Benson said he makes sure a supervisor goes by every Saturday.

"Quite frankly, although some of the conduct is, at best, poor manners, it's not illegal," Benson said. "I don't enforce good manners. I enforce the law."

Benson offered several suggestions to the Schumachers, including temporarily closing on Saturdays, darkening store windows and taking down some signs.

Instead, the Schumachers have taunted protesters, videotaped them and posted a crudely worded sign in the store window that says protesters should be treated to the kind of mutilation and physical abuse that they say animals endure. A banner advertises a 50 percent off "protest sale" on Saturdays.

The situation has become so volatile, Leonard said Monday, that he may suggest the Schumachers move their business out of downtown.

"I suppose they could say, 'There's an example of Portland's unfriendly business attitude,' but we're pro-life too," Leonard said. "I'm not interested in somebody getting killed because you want to make some point.

"It would be hard for me to characterize (the Schumachers) as completely innocent bystanders."

Benson said he hopes to sit down with protesters this week to talk about a resolution. In Defense of Animals, which participates in the protests, could not be reached for comment. Linda Schumacher said she will bring the matter before the City Council on April 5.

Su-jin Yim: 503-294-7611; suyim@news.oregonian.com