Protests for July 3 – Re: Portland

Summary

On the night of July 3, 2020, there were several demonstrations held around Portland; A violin vigil for Elijah McClain was held at Peninsula Park as well as the nightly demonstration in front of the Justice Center downtown. In front of the Justice Center a group of demonstrators demanding justice for Vanessa Guillen was also present. Demonstrators burned several flags throughout the night, including one with the Trump logo on it.

Around 11:00 PM, a group broke off from the Justice Center and made their way to the waterfront park, where the mother of Shatamera Pruden spoke along with other speakers citing their own experiences with police. This group then went back to the Justice Center to rejoin those that had remained behind.

The first part of the night was largely uneventful. Demonstrators handed out snacks, played music, and played soccer, unimpeded by police intervention. Besides some small inter-group skirmishes and a gun scare that were promptly dealt with by demonstrators, and some small fires throughout the night, the night remained calm until the Portland Police emerged from the Justice Center at 4:00 AM and declared a riot. At this point CS gas and pepper balls were deployed at demonstrators.

By 7:00am, Portland Police were tearing down the barricades that demonstrators had made (around 2:00 AM) in front of the Justice Center.

Scheduled Events

The 4th of the Lie Protest Picnic – 1-4PM Custer City Park

PDX Black Futures – 1:30 PM Pioneer Square

PDX Elijah McClain violin vigil – 7:30 PM Peninsula Park

Timeline

A large group gathered at Peninsula Park this evening for a violin vigil for Elijah McClain, where Patrick Kimmons’ mother also spoke.

“We have a mayor. We have Donald Trump. They are both racist.” -Patrick Kimmons’s mom, calling on @tedwheeler to resign, at Peninsula Park
— joan is home (@msfour) July 4, 2020

PDX violin vigil for #ElijahMcClain. “His mother said he wanted to change the world, and here he is doing it.” #SayTheirNames pic.twitter.com/Sh22blJhd7
— Marney (@mfoleypdx) July 4, 2020

As of 10:00pm about 200 protestors have gathered outside the Justice Center downtown, including a group demanding justice for Vanessa Guillen.

The Justice for Vanessa protestors. Great signs and costuming! pic.twitter.com/iKOOID8lqn
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 4, 2020

A flag burning at the Elk’s base. pic.twitter.com/aQfHUPcnMq
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 4, 2020

A group of protesters marched from the Justice Center to the Waterfront Park, where the mother of Shatamera Pruden spoke and spread her ashes in the river.

The group that was on the JC steps is on the move. pic.twitter.com/Y5nfmMwDjR
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 4, 2020

A candlelight vigil is being held for Shatamra Pruden at the waterfront. The mother of Shatamra is speaking about the corruption regarding the police investigation that followed the collision which caused her death. #PortlandProtests #pdxprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Xt9cmg0xYI
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 4, 2020

Several of the organizers I’ve seen this week are speaking to the crowd. This is the tail end of the talks, but the topic is Titi Gulley, whose suspicious death in 2019 has gained renewed public interest. pic.twitter.com/SAixUURQPM
— ?️‍?Andrew D. Jankowski?️‍? (@AndrewJank) July 4, 2020

Just before midnight, the group that was at the waterfront moved back towards the Justice Center, rejoining the group that had remained there.

The crowd is now returning to the justice center following the candlelight vigil on the waterfront. #PortlandProtests #pdxprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/0YfIi9hsqF
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 4, 2020

500+ people here tonight, my guess. Speakers, lasers at what I think(?) is a new surveillance camera, and destroying a Trump logo flag. pic.twitter.com/E5cPd7mlxs
— ?️‍?Andrew D. Jankowski?️‍? (@AndrewJank) July 4, 2020

Police aren’t visible, but they are inside the justice center. The fence is gone, protesters stand outside chanting. pic.twitter.com/SduZJ16x55
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 4, 2020

Nothing happens, but it shows how much anxiety sorrounds people in vehicles who show up for non-protest reasons. Protestors worry this person might try to run someone over. He does not. pic.twitter.com/WpcSIJuZM1
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 4, 2020

Someone who was fighting is being escorted by protestors out of Chapman Square.
— ?️‍?Andrew D. Jankowski?️‍? (@AndrewJank) July 4, 2020

At around 1:15am an individual in a car, who was allegedly armed, was spotted by protestors in front of the federal courthouse downtown.

Tension is high. A medic yells “code blue” so far nothing has happened, but it appears protestors are trying to talk to the person with the gun, who is also a protester. pic.twitter.com/6iwc7HH07d
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 4, 2020

The person with the gun just sped away in their car.
— ?️‍?Andrew D. Jankowski?️‍? (@AndrewJank) July 4, 2020

Just before 2:00am, protestors in front of the Justice Center began building a barricade using fencing and other nearby materials.

Barriers going up at Salmon and Main. pic.twitter.com/k9tmTBeo8e
— ?️‍?Andrew D. Jankowski?️‍? (@AndrewJank) July 4, 2020

Day 37 #portlandprotest pic.twitter.com/k5p1pLyZUa
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 4, 2020

Smoky dumpster fire here on 2nd and Main. No cops have come out that I’ve seen. pic.twitter.com/mkEIz7OEnl
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 4, 2020

Fireworks now being launched from behind the barricade. It is now 4th of July. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/tiNo6xZxkH
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 4, 2020

Tletl #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/BehEBLr9E5
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

At about 3:50am, The Portland Police Bureau declared the demonstration a riot and began shooting tear gas and pepper balls at the remaining protesters in front of the Justice Center.

Tear gas and pepper balls. #pdxprotests #portlandprotests #pdxwar pic.twitter.com/EjA0i5jxCX
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

Completely engulfed in tear gas in Portland, Oregon pic.twitter.com/GgrHBtf0OL
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

PPB just came out and tear gassed the area in front of the US Courthouse on 3rd, also Lownsdale and Chapman Squares. Spicy air. Picked up a canister. Took a while for it to cool down. pic.twitter.com/09SOJei5tv
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 4, 2020

At 4:00am, Portland Police and what appears to be U.S. Marshals arrived on Salmon and 3rd Street.

pic.twitter.com/LkIIU6IOPK
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 4, 2020

Troops advancing in to the park. The speaker is broken. #pdxprotests pic.twitter.com/8Zhd5KWVsw
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

Threatning attack dog on a Black man. #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/k0nmiYfVIm
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

Protesters were pushed west through Lownsdale Square. I stayed at Salmon and 3rd. I can see a line of cops (?) in camo facing the Multnomah County Courthouse, across the park from me. pic.twitter.com/cA63QaOBU5
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 4, 2020

Round #3
U.S. Marshalls & ppb -vs- the peoole of the rose city..”this is a riot?” pic.twitter.com/qjUtB0ym5Z
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

#blacklivesmatter Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words are being played on a loud speaker as White feds threaten Bkack people and their allies. #pdxprotests #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/5JePEzxGdb
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

Ppb clean up crew on deck. #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/a4VDNPNrpx
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) July 4, 2020

An update on the individual in the car that allegedly had a gun:

From last night: at 1:08am word spread of a man with a gun. I can confirm the man aimed it briefly at the federal courthouse before being turned away by protestors. This video does not show a gun, but the crowd reaction to word of a gun. https://t.co/ThbTm5GiWf
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 4, 2020