Protests for July 7

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:

Barbeque tent is still holding it down. Snack van is on scene! One cop car drove by with the usual yelling. People scatted milling in the park.

— Griffin (@GriffinMalone6) July 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/nogumbofornazis/status/1280719399586983936?s=20

We thought there was already something on fire. And there is, but it’s a barbecue!

— 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020

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

The sit-in is about 200 now, they have left a very deliberate 10-ft walkway clear on the sidewalk in front of the federal courthouse.

— 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020

Reverend Ron and Rabbi Benjamin are out tonight as observers of an interfaith organization in Portland. They plan on sharing their observations with their respective congregations as well as other religious organizations. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/hdhLVG4A7G

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) July 8, 2020

Came to the downtown protest that generally happens around the Justice Center to check out the “Night of Rage for Summer Taylor” and it’s a big peaceful sit-in. People are somber and the elk’s next incarnation is on display. pic.twitter.com/TF0tgbiv0F

— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) 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

I think the person on the mic just explained “the rules”(?) for “how PPB is letting us do this” (?) by maintaining clear walkways?

— 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade (@45thabsurdist) 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.

The pioneer statue here is just fine, in case anyone thought it been damaged in that fire. It’s decorated. pic.twitter.com/r0NVbNQna1

— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 8, 2020

“Say their Name: Summer Taylor” pic.twitter.com/BGsuUYjebL

— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/nogumbofornazis/status/1280753068540260352

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:

Most of the protesters are on the steps of the justice center

— 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade (@45thabsurdist) July 8, 2020

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

Portland Police asserted that the crowd was attempting to vandalize and break into the justice center. A squad of riot police pushed protesters to the intersection of 2nd & Salmon. The crowd complied. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/UDnPF4oS6m

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) July 8, 2020

These grenades are serious weapons:

https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1280915864594743296

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

City details Portland protest violence, damage, cost of repairs in response to motion to restrict tear gas, crowd control weapons

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

Charges