Summary
In Downtown Portland, the nightly demonstration in front of the Justice Center and Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse continued as it has almost every night for the last 60 days. Among the hundreds of participants were some recognizable groups including the Wall of Moms, the Wall of Vets, and the Dad Pod. Unfortunately, a group that wasn’t there was locally beloved Riot Ribs (who had been feeding protestors and the surrounding community alike free of charge for the last few weeks), who announced during the day over Twitter that they were dissolving.
Multiple fires were set early in the night, one at the site of the former elk statue and one in the portico in front of the federal courthouse. Not long after, federal officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls, flash bangs, and impact munitions at protestors from inside the courthouse.
At 11:40 PM, after multiple heavy rounds of tear gas use, federal officers declared the demonstration an unlawful assembly. Following this declaration was more deployment of tear gas, pepper balls, and impact munitions against protestors until just after 1 AM, when federal officers moved out onto the streets and pushed protestors west out of the area. After federal officers retreated back off the streets, protestors promptly returned to the area in front of the courthouse.
The night seemingly ended without further incident.
Scheduled Events
- Pacific Northwest Family Circle Weekly Car Caravan – 6:30 PM
- Vigil for Tete/Otis Gulley at Rocky Butte Park – 8 PM
Timeline
A vigil was held in honor of Tete Gulley, a black houseless woman in Portland whose death was labeled a suicide, which has been widely contested by her family and the community.
About 300 people at tonight’s vigil for Tete Gulley, a Black transfeminine person whose death her family says Portland police quickly and unjustly labeled a suicide. Protest in Portland takes many forms. pic.twitter.com/QZCxHRwgUn
— Karina Brown (@karinapdx) July 28, 2020
And Hinnessey has a message for the many people right at this moment facing off with federal agents downtown: “Y’all up there getting tear gassed and arrested every night for yelling black lives matter. But if they mattered, you wouldn’t have to yell that shit.”
— Karina Brown (@karinapdx) July 28, 2020
Downtown, the evening demonstration in front of the Justice Center and Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse occurred as usual.
The crowd is significantly smaller then Saturday, but I am told that fed RAD has already been talking to people
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Night 61. It’s a relatively demure crowd compared to previous nights. DHS agents have announced their first warning of the night in response to banging on the fence. @VetsWall is out tonight dressed in white. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/y7XCFgq4ao
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
After putting on masks and helmets the moms formed ranks and to chants of”Black Lives Matter!” Marches to the courthouse
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
A protester just played a “warning” in response to DHS agents. Some are banging on the fence with signs and shields. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/S6bHuiwAx7
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
The guys on the stairs were finishing up as I arrived, and as “DJ LRAD” made an introduction (over raucous crowd applause) the Wall of Moms head down to the Hatfield Courthouse wall from the JC steps.
— You Know Me ?? (@MacSmiff) July 28, 2020
Chants of “feds go home” break out. pic.twitter.com/4wNaFsYCP0
Small group of protesters gather at the fence, bang shields, chant “feds go home”
— Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) July 28, 2020
Fire burns where once the beloved elk stood#PortlandProtest pic.twitter.com/ZVthPlAWIf
The banging on the fence is building up a rhythm. The balloons help to clue the crow in to wind direction, for when tear gas gets deployed
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Folks spot some shadowy figures moving on the ledge up on the wall of the courthouse, and target them with flashlights. “We know you’re there!” pic.twitter.com/hz8I8uG53R
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Lift Every Voice and Sing is playing, clergy present pic.twitter.com/JsFQEHf5IM
— Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) July 28, 2020
I just got back from grabbing dinner to a large group at the fence and what sounded like several announcements from the feds about messing with the fence. pic.twitter.com/hpSG2Pci25
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Journalist Eder Campuzano outlined the two different groups that were demonstrating downtown:
-The Justice Center crowd dispersed a few moments ago urging folks to come back at 7 p.m. tomorrow
— Eder Campuzano ????✏️?? (@edercampuzano) July 28, 2020
-Federal courthouse demonstrators are chanting “Justice! Now!” and at times “All cops are bas****s”
Portland protest day 60 pic.twitter.com/CvL0igymYx
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
J blog playing at the mutual aid tents (riot ribs has disbanded, for now) pic.twitter.com/OpHxp78YJV
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
Several fireworks have gone off on the fed side of the fence and there have been several more announcements
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
Fireworks have been thrown, and now a small fire can be seen on the inside of the perimeter fence. It seems like a federal police response is now imminent. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/2oPnJa5Xgz
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
Fire at the elk is out, but now there is one behind the fence
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Protestors are shooting Roman candles at the Federal courthouse, trying to make it inside the “murder holes” (slits in the wall where federal can shoot tear gas and impact munitions out of) pic.twitter.com/mfdpk21YET
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
The fire behind the fence has grown in size and it has triggered an announcement by federal officers. It’s hard to hear what is said over the noise of the crowd. pic.twitter.com/lrKkKX3k75
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
Fed-RAD update: Fed-RAD still does not want people to mess with the fence.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Balloon update: wind now appears to be north-northwest.
Trash fire update: all those booms are still just old rattle cans so far.
The time is now 11:26
Hole the crowd is not enormous, it it impressive that almost all of the protesters understand what type of violence they might face and have helmets, gas masks, respirators and goggles
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
At about 11:30 PM, federal officers emerged from the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse for the first time of the night. By 11:35 PM they had begun deploying tear gas and impact munitions against protestors from inside the fence surrounding the courthouse.
Federal agents came out to put out the fire. Impact munitions and pepper balls were used, no tear gas pic.twitter.com/8NZuPbF27l
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
After a barrage of Teargas and Pepperball munitions, federal officers used a hose to extinguish the small flame. Munitions can be seen flying fr both sides. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/e2vA2UdBUB
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
And feds have deployed a bunch of gas firing some canisters deep into Lownsdale while firing pepper balls at the cloud engulfed people left at the fence. pic.twitter.com/xAV37LPXwv
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
And if the wind wasn’t blowing at the courthouse entrance before, definitely is now that the leafblowers are going. Feds back inside.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
At about 11:45 PM, federal officers warned that they would declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.
Warnings of an “unlawful assembly” declaration are being given now. Warnings of arrest and use of munitions.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
Following about 20 minutes of tear gassing and shooting pepper balls at protestors, federal officers reentered the courthouse after putting out the fire in the portico.
Fed-RAD says “if you continue to throw rocks, fireworks and other hard objects at officers, this will be declared an unlawful assembly”
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Crowd points out that there are no officers outside. Except for the ones on the roof. The crowd also says “fuck you roof cops.”
It’s a chant
More warnings from the feds were just given. It was responded mostly with “Boo!” from the crowd.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
The wall of moms link arms through the tear gas pic.twitter.com/pI1zjYVwAA
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
The street outside the courthouse was blanketed in tear gas pic.twitter.com/GCGx9dLSPJ
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
The feds emerged in a cloud of gas so thick it seemed designed to make sure that they were operating invisibly pic.twitter.com/sSlzfLUHXC
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
A line of moms and vets holds strong in the cloud, which is rapidly dispersed by leaf blowers. pic.twitter.com/CKYI9Hookm
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Federal officers have fired tear gas and pepperball munitions into the crowd. Small groups with shields protect #portlanddads with leaf blowers as they disperse the Teargas. This has now become an effective standard reaction. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/iYlha4PRpP
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
They go back in for a few minutes but come back out, again with a big cloud that the leaf blowers hold back more this time pic.twitter.com/vUdAgra4N4
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Protestor is marked for impact munitions green light, federal agent on higher floors of building is on overwatch pic.twitter.com/AE90h8Gjgd
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
The aforementioned laser designator from rooftop spotters on the federal courthouse. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Wrqih6B2LW
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
At about 11:40 AM, federal officers declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.
Unlawful assembly was just declared
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
After multiple gassing, Chumbawamba is on the stereo. Feels appropriate.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
fed-RAD now says this is an unlawful assembly and “peaceful protesters” must disperse to the north and west.
Sorta awkward if they gassed any of those peaceful protesters any of the other times. pic.twitter.com/t9RFh9Husb
Almost one in the morning and there are still maybe 300 people here
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Just after 1 AM, federal officers exited the courthouse and pushed protestors out of the area going several different directions.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) July 28, 2020
Federal officers have pushed protesters off Lownsdale Square Park from the South, while officers in the courthouse fired crowd control munitions. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/8CIkCyCWrD
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
The push pic.twitter.com/ayG4i5EIwi
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Federal agent, with a silencer on his assault rifle pic.twitter.com/ETifiCQUYe
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
Wall of moms link arms and don’t leave even as federal agents order dispersal and throw tear gas pic.twitter.com/XWKencyN9r
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
Press group walking across the street, federal agents use strong flash lights pic.twitter.com/Q803Oj1zlw
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
Federal agents move back to the courthouse, using tear gas, smoke, and impact munitions to cover their retreat pic.twitter.com/87FYDy1RET
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 28, 2020
After federal officers withdrew, protestors appeared to move back to the area in front of the federal courthouse that officers had cleared.
Some of the #WallofMoms stayed through the whole clearing and gassing of the parks refusing to move pic.twitter.com/erQqPdBzc4
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) July 28, 2020
The crowd advanced shortly after Federal officers departed. They have since moved back onto Lownsdale Square Park facing the federal courthouse. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/jXrYcIjPnH
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) July 28, 2020
After this point the night seemingly ended without further incident.
Early the next morning, Riot Ribs posted a press release to their Twitter account explaining their decision to dissolve:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
— RIOT RIBS ? (@riotribs) July 28, 2020
We hope this clears things up for everyone. Go give @RevRibs a follow for Riot Ribs on-the-road updates. pic.twitter.com/diNp9xNqq5
Media
Present
- Beth Nakamura (The Oregonian)
- Cory Elia (KBOO) – CashApp $CoryElia / paypal.me/CoryElia / Venmo @ Cory-Elia
- Eder Campuzano (The Oregonian)
- Karina Brown (Courthouse News)
- Mac Smiff – CashApp: $MacSmiff
- Portland Independent Documentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Sergio Olmos
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Articles
ABC News
US Attorney: Feds will stay in Portland until attacks end
AP News
Barr to condemn rioting at much-anticipated House hearing
BBC News
Portland protests: Ban federal agents from cities, Democratic mayors say
Business Insider
CBS News
Courthouse News
Portland Protesters Undeterred by Near Triple-Digit Heat
CNN
Peaceful protests and violent clashes erupted this weekend. Here’s what happened in 6 cities
The Hill
Wall of Moms, Black Lives Matter sue Trump admin over Portland response
22 people facing federal charges in connection to Portland protests
KATU
Don’t Shoot PDX, Wall of Moms file lawsuit against Homeland Security
22 protesters face federal charges after arrests in Portland over the weekend
KGW
Demonstrators congregate in downtown Portland as protests continue
Los Angeles Times
‘The Moms Are Here’: ‘Wall of Moms’ Groups Mobilize Nationwide
The Oregonian
At Portland protests, Riot Ribs is dissolving completely after threats to group’s safety
Law office of Portland police union attorneys vandalized
Wall of Moms, Don’t Shoot Portland sue federal Homeland Security, Justice Departments
Portland Mercury
Federal Officers Probably Aren’t Leaving Downtown Portland Anytime Soon
Portland State Vanguard
Diverse voices join resurgence in Portland protests
Portland Tribune
Wheeler, Hardesty request meeting with feds
Lewis & Clark history department chair shot at protest
Street Roots
Feds sprayed chemicals into the eyes of a retired ER nurse and veteran
Truthout
If We Don’t Want Armed Feds Occupying Our Cities, We Must Hit the Streets
The Washington Post
More federal agents dispatched to Portland as protests rise in other cities
Protests resurge across U.S. as clashes continue in Portland
Willamette Week
Groups and Individuals Active in Nightly Portland Protests File New Lawsuit Against Federal Agencies
Portland Police Association Warns City Council New Police Oversight Proposal Is Illegal
Police
Agencies Present
- U.S. Marshals
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services
Munitions
- tear gas
- pepper balls
- impact munitions (rubber bullets)
- flash bangs
- lasers
Arrests
State: 1 juvenile
Federal: 2
Charges
State: Criminal mischief, Disorderly conduct
Federal: Assault of a federal officer, Failure to comply with lawful order