Summary
Two overlapping events took place at the Portland Justice Center last night: a sit-in at the Federal Courthouse organized by a new group called Portland Protest Bureau, and a candlelight vigil for Summer Taylor organized by a youth-led direct action group. At about 11:50 PM, federal police burst through the park where the vigil was taking place, using flashbang grenades that were reported to be much louder than those used on previous nights. Around 1 AM, a smaller group of protesters who remained at the JC confronted Portland Police during a shift change. Another confrontation occurred around 2:30 AM.
Scheduled Events
Night of Rage for Summer Taylor, 10pm
Timeline
Starting off at the Justice Center tonight with speeches and food:
A sit in in front of the federal courthouse starts with speeches. The crowd is ready. pic.twitter.com/xSBORiiKj8
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 8, 2020
Some protestors have a banner for Summer Taylor, the protestors killed by a driver in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/IBMpoFKt9u
— Cook Cajun, Punch Nazis (@nogumbofornazis) July 8, 2020
The sit-in seems to be organized by a different group than the “Night of Rage for Summer Taylor” that is now organizing to march:
I think the announced March for Summer Taylor is now mustering.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
One group of protesters is gathered in front of the US Courthouse giving speeches/doing a sit-in. Another has moved across the street to Chapman Square. Lighting candles.
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 8, 2020
The pioneer statue here is just fine, in case anyone thought it been damaged in that fire. It’s decorated. pic.twitter.com/r0NVbNQna1
“Say their Name: Summer Taylor” pic.twitter.com/BGsuUYjebL
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
Folks from the sit-in just came over to the Summer Taylor memorial vigil and started trying to direct people over a megaphone? And now there’s a couple sit-in affiliated people trying to argue with the folks holding the banner as well.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
Federal law enforcement rushed out of the Federal Building after the sit-in organizers were reportedly confronted for collaborating with them, breaking up the vigil with flashbangs:
Retreating back now and shooting impact munitions pic.twitter.com/wEEItcEO9S
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
So these guys just rushed the vigil, through to the 4th and main intersection and shot off several of these. Louder than usual flashbangs? Or I just didn’t have my ears in yet. pic.twitter.com/tQ9XqWUIHe
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
Federal Officers out of the blue stormed the park. Unclear why or what their goal was. A few stun grenades were used. #blacklivesmatter #pdx #portlandoregon #oregon #blm #acab #portland #justicecenter #summertaylor pic.twitter.com/MMvo51EPdN
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 8, 2020
The Officers moved back to one of nearby federal buildings and begun to aim and shoot munitions into the crowd. #blacklivesmatter #pdx #portlandoregon #oregon #blm #acab #portland #justicecenter pic.twitter.com/BaP7d3K3ET
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 8, 2020
Protesters regroup at the Justice Center after a check-in on the candles placed for the vigil:
Points of unity from tonight: “Fuck Rose City Justice” and nobody likes when feds rush in and flashbang a candle vigil.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020
These grenades are serious weapons:
Media
Present
- Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl @KohzKah – CashApp $cozca
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Nick Lee – CashApp: $economybreakfast / PayPal: economybreakfast@gmail.com
- Portland Independent Documentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- TJ @nogumbofornazis – CashApp: $nogumbofornazis
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Articles
The Oregonian
Demonstrators gather to remember Portlander killed at Seattle protest, support Black Lives Matter
Village Portland
The rise and fall of Portland’s “Elk”: 1900 – 2020
Police
Agencies present
- Federal protective service
- Feds in brown/camo (USM? CBP?)
- PPB
Munitions used
- Low roll distraction device x 2
- Pepper balls/impact munitions
Number of arrests
None reported as of noon 7/8