Summary
There was one event besides the nightly demonstration in front of the Justice Center in Portland on July 5th called “PDX Paint to Protest”, where artists did live paintings and work was auctioned off to support black-led organizations locally.
At the start of the night there were already many law enforcement officers in front of the Justice Center, purportedly there to protect construction workers that were still boarding up some windows at the front of the federal courthouse. After construction finished, these officers retreated back into the federal courthouse. Just after midnight, law enforcement came rushing out of the courthouse, running at protestors in an attempt to disperse them, shooting pepper balls, and arresting at least one person. This happened again two more times before the end of the night. There were also multiple fires started, mostly at the former plinth of the elk statue, throughout the night.
There are reports from multiple journalists on the scene that the Portland Police Bureau did not appear to be present at the demonstration. Law enforcement officers appeared to be U.S. Marshals and agents from the Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services.
Scheduled Events
PDX Paint to Protest – 3 PM at Cathedral Park
Timeline
As early as 9:45 PM there was a heavy law enforcement presence in front of the Justice Center downtown.
Correction, these are US Marshal and DHS. No PPB. Just feds. https://t.co/wtZVc56PlN
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
I mean…. I guess they’re here to “protect” the construction crew working on the courthouse right now? But there are at least 50 visible officers, maybe more. Is this normal procedure for construction?
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Construction vans leave. Feds retreat back into the courthouse area. They’re heading back inside. pic.twitter.com/sxme3wfEPF
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
New bonfire at the former elk statue.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
(Watermarking videos when I remember because u know Andy N** and Mitch McConnell love 2 steal my vids for some reason.) pic.twitter.com/Sz1m1CbPCh
South end of 3rd and main is in the process of being caution-taped off by protesters. 3rd and Salmon is also taped off. pic.twitter.com/AIddgedzxD
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
A truck just car roaring west on main honking and I thought it was going to run through the caution Tape and crowd but at the last second the went into reverse and backed back down the way they came
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
Announcement that “federal property is closed”. pic.twitter.com/d81ADGeJpA
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
Protestors have largely migrated to the corner of SW 3rd and Salmon, where there’s a robust grill station going. pic.twitter.com/gMNX1p1WSw
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Protesters are so spread out that it’s hard to guess how many are still here. Maybe 100-150?
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Just after midnight, around 12:10 AM, federal agents reemerged from the federal courthouse without warning.
Wrong person knocked on the door? pic.twitter.com/fuml0au2sY
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
US Marshals are now retreating back west towards the courthouse. Protesters are wandering back into the park. Still no clear reason why they would have sprinted out.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Marshals stationed along the sidewalk on 3rd and main-salmon now.
Confirmed. I didn’t catch the people knocking on film (I don’t record bloc normally), but my first stream starts shortly thereafter. I was within 50 feet.
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 6, 2020
A couple dozen protesters on the east end of 3rd and main. Another small group up on 4th and main. Looks like there’s another small group on 3rd and salmon and maybe also 3rd and Madison. Just little patches of a dozen people here and there.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Neat and cool to know that some of these guys could have live ammunition and also possibly outnumber the unarmed protesters. (There are way more officers than this, couldn’t fit them all in the frame.) pic.twitter.com/Y0CmOBQzcJ
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Marshals retreating very slowly. A handful of protesters wander back into the park.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
I missed shots being fired, up there are loads of pepper balls at 3rd and Main. pic.twitter.com/wD2inMFuzM
At 1 AM federal officers standing in front of the federal courthouse once again rushed at protesters unprompted. The moment was captured by multiple journalists.
Accidentally filmed another dispersal. No clear reason why. No warnings. pic.twitter.com/Qhr518pUqC
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
Minutes later, federal agents rushed protestors a third time. CW: loud bangs
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
And then they leave. pic.twitter.com/8bnzJrk5ea
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 6, 2020
Some stills of the progress of the couch burning. pic.twitter.com/VKD7mbkMio
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 6, 2020
Technically two images but you get it.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 6, 2020
Anyway folks were heading home but I feel like the couch fire has drawn more people back. A few dozen people still here. Someone is playing Public Enemy.
According to one journalist, Portland Police officers were not present at tonight’s demonstration.
Federal. No PPB in the park blocks tonight
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 6, 2020
Media
Present
- Tuck Woodstock – CashApp: $tuckwoodstock
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
- TJ @nogumbofornazis – CashApp: $nogumbofornazis
Articles
OPB
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Deployed To Portland Protests
The Oregonian
Portland protests continue for 39th consecutive day
Portland Mercury
Portland Police Union President Calls on Officials to “Defend Portland”
Police
Agencies Present
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
- U.S. Marshal
Munitions Used
- pepper balls
Number of Arrests
Charges
- assaulting federal officers with high intensity lasers