Summary
Portland’s 53rd night of protesting saw around 1000 people in front of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, numbers that we haven’t seen since the early days of the protests. Among them were a group of an estimated 300 – 400 moms, who call themselves the Wall of Moms, doctors/medical workers from OHSU, and everyday protestors alike. While a demonstration and march were slated to take place at St. Johns park, this did not happen due to low numbers resulting in safety concerns for those that were there.
Federal officers tear gassed protestors heavily multiple times throughout the night. They also shot munitions liberally, injuring multiple independent journalists including Alex Milan Tracy, Jake Johnson, and Donovan Farley. After several aggressive rounds of tear gas, pepper balls, and flash bangs, federal officers eventually retreated back into the federal courthouse and by 3 AM calm was returned to the area and lasted for the rest of the night.
Scheduled Events
Timeline
At 7 PM, protesters gathered at St. Johns park for a rally and subsequent march.
Small crowd of about 50 in the park debating the safety of a march to the cop building without car support.
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) July 20, 2020
The rally at St. Johns eventually dissipated without marching, reportedly due to low numbers.
St Johns event turned out to be a non-event, but!
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
We were talking phone journalism accessories and hanging with @DonovanFarley, and ran into @faithfaucet and the best iPhone case I have ever fucking seen. pic.twitter.com/EsHdLxWky3
Downtown at the nightly demonstration in front of the Justice Center and Federal Courthouse, the group of moms that were present at last night’s demonstrations returned for Round 2.
Mothers against police and federal brutality are back again pic.twitter.com/5vfTj3zIAp
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
You can see how the moms, in yellow, are creating a defensive human wall to protect the crowd in the intersection. pic.twitter.com/axEld1hUZh
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) July 20, 2020
I told all the moms “there are a lot of radicle anarchists here tonight, and we want you to know, we all think you are REALLY FUCKING COOL” #portlandprotests (there’s easily 300-400 moms here) pic.twitter.com/ivdfVl4dpp
— Peter ACAB (@gravemorgan) July 20, 2020
The lights on the federal courthouse has been shut off. Someone from the “Federal Protective Service” makes an announcement about not trying to climb the fence. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice pic.twitter.com/HWhxtioe5N
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
There are maybe 1000 people here. I haven’t seen these numbers or this much energy since early June!
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
The Moms descend on the courthouse to get on the front lines, standing in between the Feds and the rest of the protesters. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/te92SkVX3k
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Judging by the number of people in street clothes without helmets, gas masks, or goggles, I’d say a lot of these folks are joining for the first time. Distinctly more middle aged and older folks tonight, too.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
A young child is here in a pikachu shirt and I’m stressed for them.
Moms in front of the fence. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/UWKsqBWhQg
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Just before 10 PM, federal officers came out of the federal courthouse. In front of them the group of moms stood in a human chain with their backs to the courthouse.
Moms are here feds stay clear! #pdxprotests pic.twitter.com/eB0lawRei8
— Cozca (@KohzKah) July 20, 2020
Looks like the Moms have won, the Feds retreated back into their building. For now at least. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/AB6B8HrZbB
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Feds have not closed their doors but have withdrawn into the doorways. Perhaps they realize that maybe they should not shoot at a wall of middle aged women?
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
“I will not live in a fascist state” chants going through the crowd. pic.twitter.com/uYfXYB4ncS
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
Big crowd still chanting in front of the federal courthouse, filling the entire street. You can hear drumming and see cardboard signs, big peace signs, and balloons(!). pic.twitter.com/L0YzlBRIzU
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
A Federal Officer filming the crowd with his own iPhone. People blind it with lasers. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/cY4CjyJee6
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Two rows of Moms protecting in the front. The crowd chants “Feds Stay Clear! Moms Are Here!” #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/HOekvASRc5
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
At about 10:30 PM, federal officers appeared to deploy the first flash bang of the night.
Big flash bang. Most of the crowd jumps.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Here’s a motorcycle/bike barricade at Salmon & 3rd. Barricades protect protesters from car attacks. pic.twitter.com/HcbPvDWByT
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Quiet for 7 minutes, then another flash bang. Crowd holds up their hands and chants “hands up, don’t shoot”
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Federal police are making announcements (which is new), but I can’t hear it over the big crowd. They’re also periodically dropping flash bangs out of the courthouse.
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
The crowd is chanting, “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” which also reminds me of the early fence days.
Black shirts say “Black moms have been at this 400 years” makeshift protest shirt on left says “good trouble,” likely as a tribute to @repjohnlewis who passed away two nights ago and talked about t he importance of getting into “good trouble” to make positive societal change pic.twitter.com/KD42FGnp60
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) July 20, 2020
In addition to #momtifa on the front lines, we also have some OHSU nurses and doctors on the very FRONT LINE tonight as well ?! Fuck yeah to the entire community showing up!!! #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/Lz4RCaQC17
— Peter ACAB (@gravemorgan) July 20, 2020
LRAD announcement. Crowd boos over it. Two flash bangs.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Federal agents use flashbang, the moms don’t move pic.twitter.com/BHrM21m4QP
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 20, 2020
Around 11:20 PM, federal officers briefly reemerged from the courthouse.
Oh! The door to the federal courthouse is open and several officers had come out to stand behind the fence.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Another flash bang
Feds have come out to shoot and assault the crowd on the south side. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/f7eRV1E36f
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Federal police came out to shoot pepper balls into the crowd and deploy flash bangs.
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Here they are returning to the building. pic.twitter.com/2zp8gU5ruu
After a round of pepper balls were shot at protestors on the south side of the fence around the federal courthouse, the line of moms moved further down the fence to fill in the space and protect the protestors behind.
The Moms spread out more the better cover the south side. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/JtsDLYdIuX
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Part of the fence comes down. I guess the fedRAD guy tried to speak, but being ineffectual he was drown out.
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) July 20, 2020
I’m hearing protesters shaking or hitting the fence. A Black man on the bullhorn warns everyone to be ready and careful. “Those are the bravest mothers I’ve ever met,” he says of the mothers on the front line. “If they were my mother, I would be proud.”
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Two parts of the fence have been taken down. Moms mobilize to make a shield. #MomsAreHere #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #PortlandPolice #Feds pic.twitter.com/rKUiqPK5TD
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 20, 2020
Two POC teens are sitting on the fence holding “back lives matter signs”.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
At 11:45 PM, protestors tore down the fence surrounding the federal courthouse.
Fence is being dragged south to barricade SE 2nd and Main, which is the direction of the police bureau.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
More fence coming down. Crowd cheers and spills into the area in front of the courthouse. Federal property. Federal officers wait inside the building, not visible.
The fence came down and there was much rejoicing. pic.twitter.com/SmUKPmeTtw
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) July 20, 2020
Mom Squad moves up with crowd, arms still linked pic.twitter.com/d1cDwp52gI
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) July 20, 2020
Around 11:50 PM, federal officers emerged from the federal courthouse building and began firing tear gas at protestors.
Federal agents have dispersed protestors using tear gas and impact munitions pic.twitter.com/S202tG7R0Z
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 20, 2020
Officers come out and start gassing. pic.twitter.com/V9UNVjFWbI
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) July 20, 2020
Spicy ? pic.twitter.com/8GtewaR1Cj
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) July 20, 2020
Crowd pushed back up to 4th. You’ll hear lots of shots. Sorry I can’t rotate the video right now. pic.twitter.com/SZ55sx5lcl
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Protesters regroup a block or so away. Something useful I’ve learned these past few weeks is that CS gas is heavier than air so walk uphill and you’ll get above the cloud. Please don’t run. My ptsd dreams are about protesters running.
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) July 20, 2020
Then there was a brief standoff on SW 4th. pic.twitter.com/EHII4uWWn5
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Standoff on 4th and main. There is a line of protesters with homemade shields and umbrellas in the front. Press and other folks filming behind them. Protesters chanting behind those folks.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
https://t.co/ak6QAMiH0n https://t.co/nPnawqvxQX pic.twitter.com/WBVcSQhFOF
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 20, 2020
Tear gas is wafting west so crowd is marching up to 5th. Lots of coughing around me.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Reminder that we are in a pandemic that targets the lungs and respiratory system.
Reminder that PPB is currently not allowed to use tear gas except in a riot situation. No such rules for feds.
Federal police push protesters West on SW Main with tear gas, pepper balls, and possibly rubber bullets. Also flash bangs. pic.twitter.com/NgByisQWoL
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Protesters follow federal officers as they fall back while tear gas and more crowd control munitions are deployed. pic.twitter.com/9GmfOIQF3y
— Alex Milan Tracy (@AlexMilanTracy) July 20, 2020
While only federal officers were on the street assaulting protestors, Portland Police Bureau officers were spotted shooting unknown munitions out of the small windows in the plywood barriers on the doors of the Justice Center.
PPB were shooting out their slits “murder holes” from the JC while feds were also gassing the crowd.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 20, 2020
Around 12:30 AM Federal officers finished tear gassing the crowd of protestors and went into the IRS building on 3rd and Madison, across from Terry Schrunk Plaza.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 20, 2020
Crowd headed back down main towards the courthouse, chanting “stay together, stay tight, we do this every night.” Some is these folks really have been out here doing this almost every single night for more than 50 days.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
Crowd has made it back to the former elk statue which is just…… completely gone??? Like, the elk is gone, obviously, but the base is ALSO gone? What happened? pic.twitter.com/exWzE5n4kI
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
I just took my respirator off for a sec and the air is still very spicy here. But the crowd is spread out throughout the park. @riotribs is grilling and there’s a very long line for food. I’m guessing there’s 300ish people here.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
I just realized it’s almost 1am?! pic.twitter.com/JQxiQwSooJ
An important reminder that can always use repeating:
And, of course, Black protesters are here leading, and have been on the bullhorn leading for more than 50 days. Don’t forget.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
The fence is being used to blockade the federal courthouse doors, same as last night. pic.twitter.com/G3AvIa7KgN
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Just put the fence back up? pic.twitter.com/GJX8owRW1e
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) July 20, 2020
There’s now a small fire on the steps of the federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/EVqkBcKk8h
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
At around 1:45 AM, federal officers reemerged to mace, tear gas, and push protestors back away from the federal courthouse.
Federal police come around the corner to rush and mace protesters on the steps of the courthouse. pic.twitter.com/qOarNwTspM
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Another tear gas attack and shooting from federal police. pic.twitter.com/J5SAqbeiIE
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Protesters use a traffic cone to extinguish a tear gas canister. pic.twitter.com/Pyvz5zXf1t
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Feds are back in the US Courthouse for now. I filmed some of the chaos on my other phone. I’m OK. Hope everyone else is, but I know some aren’t. This is just unreal.
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 20, 2020
Got yet more canisters. All the pepper-spray projectiles have painted areas of the street a chalky white.
It’s 2:15am. Roughly 200 people are left in the park. Most people are sitting down or standing in the Riot Ribs line. Everything is quiet.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) July 20, 2020
There are about 60 people left now. They’re milling around the park and on 3rd. I haven’t seen anyone messing with the fence or the courthouse doors, but I’m not looking very closely.
— Lindsey Smith (she/her) (@LindseyPSmith7) July 20, 2020
Peace and calm have return to Lownsdale Square Park. These Protesters are singing & dancing. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/N75hG9eaDS
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 20, 2020
Media
Present
- Alex Milan Tracy – https://moneyyy.me/$alexmilantracy
- Cory Elia (KBOO) – CashApp $CoryElia / paypal.me/CoryElia / Venmo @ Cory-Elia
- Cozca @KohzKah – CashApp $cozca
- Donovan Farley – CashApp: $DonovanFarley1 / PayPal: DonovanFarley / Venmo: Donovan-Farley
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Leslie McL (KBOO) – CashApp: $LuhCreative / PayPal: http://PayPal.me/LuhCreative / Venmo: @Human42LM
- Lindsey Smith – CashApp: $LindseyPSmith7 / Venmo: Lindsey-Smith-55
- Nick Lee – CashApp: $economybreakfast / PayPal: economybreakfast@gmail.com
- Portland Independent Documentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Robert Evans
- Sergio Olmos
- Suzette Smith
- Tuck Woodstock – CashApp $tuckwoodstock
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Articles
BBC News
Portland protests: All you need to know about Trump’s crackdown
Portland protests: Mayor demands federal troops leave city
CBS News
Federal officers again tear-gas protesters in Portland, Oregon
KGW
Federal officers use tear gas on crowds outside Justice Center
NBC News
‘Wall of Moms’ stand between Portland Black Lives Matter protesters and federal police
NPR
‘Like Adding Gasoline’: Oregon Officials Blast Trump Response To Portland Protests
The Oregonian
President of Portland police union, targeted in protests, says community has ‘had enough’
Portland Tribune
Portland protester describes beating by federal officers
Reuters
Trump, Portland mayor clash over causes of escalating unrest
Street Roots
Photos | The concerning progression of police response to Portland protests
The Washington Post
Federal officials dismiss Portland leaders’ calls to leave city as clashes with protesters continue
Willamette Week
Portland Public Schools Will Reevaluate All Building Names, Starting With Woodrow Wilson High School
President Trump Has Reenergized Portland’s Protests
Police
Agencies Present
- U.S. Marshals – Federal Protective Services
- Portland Police Bureau
Munitions
- flash bangs
- pepper balls
- tear gas
I‘ll document the “crowd control munitions” when I get home, but I got another one of those “LOW ROLL” big ones—tossed at me. Sorry, but it’s already spoken for after I take better pics at home.
— e c o n o m y b r e a k f a s t (@econbrkfst) July 20, 2020
First instruction on these: “Visibly clear immediate area of deployment.” pic.twitter.com/q0aP9qsOYs
A comrade found these pic.twitter.com/09lwLvjads
— Matcha chai (@matcha_chai) July 20, 2020
Pepper munitions. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/hzqxSFDgVA
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 20, 2020
Some of the riot control muntions that were used on protestors tonight, including some type of chemical smoke and CS gas (tear gas). #portland #PortlandProtest #portlandprotests #PortlandOregon #PortlandOR #oregon #BLMprotest #PDXprotests #PDX #munitions #Teargas #clypiancoverage pic.twitter.com/5gGRLXauyl
— Clypian (@Clypian) July 20, 2020
Arrests
No information as of 10:30 AM
Charges
No information as of 10:30 AM