Summary
On the night of July 23rd, thousands of people once again filled the street and parks in front of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse and the Justice Center downtown. Early in the night, a small group (around 5 individuals) of counter-protestors stood against the fence surrounding the federal courthouse, proclaiming “Protect the fence and protect the city”, drawing criticism from protestors. Multiple fires were set in the portico between the front of the courthouse and the fence by protestors throwing trash over the fence.
Starting at 12:30 AM, federal officers deployed copious amounts of tear gas against protestors, an action that continued for several hours. This began while federal officers still remained inside the courthouse and shot munitions out the open front doors. They rushed out a couple times to detain protestors that had breached the fence and gotten into the portico, and eventually made their way onto the street. In the street in front of the federal courthouse, federal officers continued to gas and detain protestors, all while pushing protestors west directly away from the courthouse area.
After federal officers went back into the courthouse around 3 AM, calm returned to the area and the night ended without further incident.
Scheduled Events
- Justice for Patrick Kimmons – 10 AM
- Community Sign Making – 3 PM
- Ride the Redline – 5:30 PM
- Marching For Housing Equity – 6 PM
- NAACP Stand on Portland – 7 PM
Timeline
Thursday July 23rd in Portland Oregon, on the 58th day of consecutive protests. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/RkdqRYSdKZ
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The Pioneer Statue in Chapman Square has been removed by the city. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/eczGc1kEVe
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Two thousand people chanting “march with us” pic.twitter.com/0364rEMnZG
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
Chanting the names of victims of police brutality pic.twitter.com/Xa6b4Z7grM
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
The majority of people here are in front of the Justice Center. Around now is usually when people move over to the courthouse. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/AW0ndbRXgY
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
This is the most sturdy fence I’ve seen constructed the past two months here in Portland. But with enough creativity and people I think it can be messed with. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA pic.twitter.com/3nrRwTcQ5E
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
There is a small group of people saying they are trying to “Protect the fence, and protect the city.” The crowd doesn’t seem very pleased. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/PXxGYrwoIX
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The Wall of Moms have arrived. They turn to face to fence, showing that the Moms are here to protect the crowd, not the fence. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/nilHsko1eI
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Snack van on station pic.twitter.com/qg15fLCa22
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
Around 11:05 PM, the doors of the federal courthouse, where the bulk of protestors were stood, opened. No federal agents exited the building.
The doors of the courthouse are open
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
The courthouse doors are now open, people are throwing bags of trash over the fence. There’s a debate whether the trash should be set on fire. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/3Giq6pYmbi
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The feds added “murder holes” higher up by cutting into the boards above the smaller ones. You can see it in the center cracked open. A source told me they were building platforms about 12 feet off the ground so they can fire tear gas canisters over the fence into the crowd. pic.twitter.com/Bz7hOEmQRJ
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
A small group of people was seen towards the front line of the demonstration promoting protecting the fence, much to the ire of the surrounding protestors.
A man is going along the fences yelling “blessings” a Black woman tells him to take that shit somewhere else and protesters resume throwing trash bags over the fence
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
This is one of the guys talking about “protecting the city.” He now is “taking out the trash.” Many in the crowd, including multiple Black people, have asked him to leave. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest pic.twitter.com/9aY5IH9H1V
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Thousands of people are crowded in around the courthouse. The federal troops have given three warnings. pic.twitter.com/LSGc6m7ftz
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) July 24, 2020
The fence shenanigans have begun. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/tukgGN6gQY
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Put out by blessing guy
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
And there is a new fire, further into the courtyard. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/JCVTTyJbPM
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Fireworks ? pic.twitter.com/82zt1LAOfz
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
Roman candles shot into the courthouse building pic.twitter.com/fJXhjviRBe
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
There is now a garbage fire on the sidewalk in front of the federal courthouse. It has triggered an announcement by the federal officers. pic.twitter.com/OSfDnCE4TS
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
And the fire is growing in size. pic.twitter.com/YyJ1SGSM9W
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
Just before 12:30 AM, federal officers deployed tear gas and pepper balls against protestors.
Fire and tear gas and leaf blowers pic.twitter.com/DYmgDBBfKz
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
The leaf blowers move to the front to clear pepper from the air pic.twitter.com/pWnS8V4WLN
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
A lotta pepper bullets being shot mostly towards a group of press and leaf blower folks. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/z3ad7PPGeW
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Meanwhile, protestors are defending against pepper balls and impact munitions with homemade shields and even a laminated flyer pic.twitter.com/ytvTfNMIMA
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
The Feds are now gassing themselves. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/yaLPDCx3kf
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
More pepper bullets sent into the crowd. Also the doors of the courthouse are full of teargas. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere pic.twitter.com/dMyafydh96
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Wall of Moms #MOMTIFA is blocking Third from the south. pic.twitter.com/ntjiuj8Zo6
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) July 24, 2020
Federal officers exited the courthouse for the first time of the night around 12:50 AM.
Feds responded pic.twitter.com/EgqKz1ZTOY
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
Feds charge out and unleash teargas and pepper bullets. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/xbFee7S1Uz
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Federal officer calmly reloads and shoots impact munitions at protesters pic.twitter.com/6GUwXAGU9g
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
People with leaf blowers charge forward to push away the tear gas. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/siLh3douQm
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
More fuel being added to the fire which feds never extinguished pic.twitter.com/xxtdh0rnFg
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
A section of the fence has been opened now pic.twitter.com/wE7Yy0mzHz
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
One minute after the first round of tear gassing, this is the mood pic.twitter.com/TBvhw68KCr
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
Around 1:10 AM, federal officers rushed out of the courthouse and made at least one arrest.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
This is less lethal impact munitions on a car pic.twitter.com/Mmpfza3JEm
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
Around 1:15 AM, federal officers declared the gather an unlawful assembly.
Federal officers declare unlawful assmebly, tell protestors to disperse north pic.twitter.com/SyRvqvtD7s
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
The crowd is really doing their best to keep the teargas in the courtyard. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/UJv11chPYv
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
A momentary celebration when all the teargas is pushed back and the feds go into their building. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/TJYQxgUgPa
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The fence was breached so the feds charged out and started shooting pepper bullets and teargassing the streets of Portland. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/XwiqkHpYaz
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Around 1:30 AM, federal officers came out from the fenced enclosure around the federal courthouse to disperse protestors with tear gas.
Federal officer batons protester to the face pic.twitter.com/5SrFkwnAtQ
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
“I’ll treat you like press but move” pic.twitter.com/LVmhQikXzN
— Rebecca Ellis (@Rjaellis) July 24, 2020
Just before another round of gas pic.twitter.com/E3bQe4ekJ2
— Rebecca Ellis (@Rjaellis) July 24, 2020
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
Federal officers once again filled the streets and parks with tear gas while dispersing protestors to the west of the federal courthouse.
Federal officers dispersed using lots of tear gas pic.twitter.com/uGEqA9PMWl
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 24, 2020
So much gas. Again. pic.twitter.com/eKy99wkOuD
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 24, 2020
Someone collapsed on the ground due to teargas. It may be against the “journalism ethics code” but I had to help him out of the gas. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/9AfX4QUer5
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Not sure what to say about this one:
A literal tear gas tornado in downtown Portland. pic.twitter.com/GK18F1pdYU
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) July 24, 2020
Officers showed up from the east and began to push the crowd west. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/U284ws3ZG7
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Back on Main Street, the Feds push a block away from federal property with teargas and flashbangs. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/8MeHxytDO7
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The feds holding the line at 4th and Main. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/GcXClOcB8e
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The Feds advance west on Main Street. More teargas and stun grenades are used. This is two blocks away from federal property. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/Rg4MFd5uwQ
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Arrest and more law enforcement on these or any America streets than I’ve ever seen before pic.twitter.com/UMDvFRfvVX
— Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) July 24, 2020
As federal officers made their way back to the courthouse, protestors crept forward the same direction, led by a wall of shields.
The officers pull back east and deploy many canisters of tear gas. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/d0ID8TVwUR
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
The shield wall forms at 3rd and Main. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/q67fwWKDhS
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Officers show up again in the courtyard and try to pressure people away from the fence. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/XNlEuO8Cpt
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
Feds enter the courthouse and send out a farewell teargassing. #PortlandMoms #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MOMTIFA #MomsAreHere #teargas pic.twitter.com/LaVANhfIE7
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) July 24, 2020
*hot
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
The night has returned to an eery quiet. Tonight was sort of t opposite of last night. Very frequent/ varied engagement for 3 hours. pic.twitter.com/K33XNqbA0v
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) July 24, 2020
Snack Van rolls by and morning news crews are doing news briefs in front of the federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/vqKyKdk1rN
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) July 24, 2020
Media
Present
- Beth Nakamura (The Oregonian)
- Cory Elia (KBOO) – CashApp $CoryElia / paypal.me/CoryElia / Venmo @ Cory-Elia
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Jake Johnson @FancyJenkins – CashApp: $bucksarecool / Venmo: jakefartstoo / http://Paypal.me/fancyjenkins
- Rebecca Ellis (OPB)
- Robert Evans
- Sergio Olmos
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Articles
Associated Press
Black activists: Portland’s focus on feds only aids message
The Atlantic
Trump Is Putting On a Show in Portland
CBS News
Judge orders federal agents to keep hands off journalists at Portland protests
The Guardian
- Portland protests: federal agents’ actions draw city into a national debate
- Portland mayor teargassed by federal agents at protest
The Intercept
An Air Force Special Operations Surveillance Plane is Lurking Near Portland During Federal Crackdown
KGW
Federal officers use tear gas after fires set near courthouse in downtown Portland
KOIN
- Judge blocks feds in Portland from targeting press, observers
- US Homeland Security P-3 AEW surveillance plane at PDX
Los Angeles Times
- When protesters are attacked in Portland, these volunteers come to their aid
- From Portland to Buenos Aires, mothers unite in protests
Medium
- Infiltration in Portland’s Black Lives Matter Movement
- The Lead Federal Agency Responding to Protesters in Portland Employs Thousands of Private Contractors
Mother Jones
States Are Begging for Coronavirus Relief. Trump Sent Federal Police Instead.
The Nation
The Federal Response to Protests Extends Far Beyond Portland
NBC News
Portland protesters on being detained, chased by federal agents as situation intensifies
The New Yorker
Trump’s Fake Solution to the Fake Crisis in Portland
The New York Times
Feds Sending Tactical Team to Seattle, Expanding Presence Beyond Portland
NPR
Order Temporarily Blocks Feds From Targeting Press And Legal Observers In Portland
OPB
- Night 57 of Portland protests brings ‘refocus’ and new limits on federal response
- Portland federal courthouse fence could last until 2021, cost more than $200,000
The Oregonian
- Downtown jail inmates hitting panic buttons due to tear gas wafting into cells, lawyers say
- Judge temporarily bars federal officers from using force, threats, dispersal orders against journalists, legal observers
- Portland officials demand feds remove courthouse fence in bike lane
- Portland protests continue for 57th day
- After Portland protest against police violence, feds gas demonstrators in city streets, park Thursday
Portland Mercury
City Council Votes to End Portland Police Cooperation With Federal Officers
Portland Monthly
- A Guide to the Buildings around the Main Portland Protests
- Federal Officers and Portland Police Are Working from the Same Playbook
- Ted Wheeler’s Strange Odyssey into the Portland Protests
Reuters
- Federal agents fire tear gas again at Portland protesters
- U.S. watchdog to probe use of force in Portland; federal agents to Seattle on standby
The Washington Post
- Live updates: Department watchdogs to investigate federal law enforcement conduct at protests
- Portland’s protests were supposed to be about black lives. Now, they’re white spectacle.
- This Portland journalist has been gassed and shoved by federal officers. She’s only 17.
Willamette Week
- Mayor Wheeler Badgers Commissioner Hardesty to Provide Evidence for Her Retracted Claim That Portland Police Set Fires at Protests
- U.S. Congressman Rises to the Defense of Riot Ribs
Police
Agencies Present
- U.S. Marshals
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protection Services
Munitions
- tear gas
- flash bangs
- pepper balls
Can anyone identify? pic.twitter.com/UaYp4l4Qv4
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 24, 2020
Arrests
Charges
- assaulting federal officers
- failing to obey lawful orders