Summary
Around 1 PM, a small group of protesters gathered at the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct, where they held signs and drew on the ground in chalk their demands to defund the police. This event took place and ended without incident or any altercations between police and protesters.
In the evening, hundreds of protesters gathered at Peninsula Park at 7 PM. At the event, food and snacks were provided (courtesy of Revolution Ribs), as well as some shields for the crowd to use. Just before 9 pm, the crowd began marching: their destination – the Portland Police Association (PPA) building, home of the PPB’s union. Soon after protesters arrived, a dumpster fire was started that extinguished itself in less than an hour, after it had burned through the entirety of its contents. Some protesters were also seen knocking on the boarded up PPA building as well as spray painting messages on its walls, which PPB officers appeared to use as justification for declaring an unlawful assembly and announcing that protesters were attacking the building.
Multiple instances of violence against protesters happened at the demonstration. The first was from a driver of a pickup truck that crashed through the protest, which was blocking the street. A protester put their motorcycle in front of the truck seconds before it sped off, appearing to give the rest of the crowd a short moment to get out of the way, before the truck went through the middle of the group, pushing the motorcycle along with it. The driver of the truck was found in the surrounding neighborhood, but according to a press release by PPB was interviewed and then released without charges. Later, an individual confronted protesters, brandishing a gun that they had with them. This person then fired three shots into the air, dispersing protesters that were near them, before running off. Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of either incident.
While PPB officers did not appear to use tear gas throughout the night, they deployed smoke bombs, flash bangs, and pepper spray at protesters while attempting to disperse the group. They also used their batons to hit and push protesters from behind when trying to move them out of the area. In total three arrestees were booked with charges, and one individual (a member of the press) was detained but taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during their arrest.
The night appeared to end by about 2 AM without any further incident or attacks by PPB or other individuals.
Scheduled Events
- Oregon DA for the People: Chalk Art Action
- Daily BLM Demonstration – Nike World Campus – Noon
- Kid-Centered March for Black Lives – 6 pm
- Direct Action for Black Lives Matter – 7 pm
Timeline
A small protest in front of The Portland Police’s East Precinct demanding that Portland Police get defunded took place around 1 pm.
Small protest outside Portland’s East Precinct.
— T. Thorn Coyle (@ThornCoyle) August 4, 2020
Photo set in thread: #BlackLivesMatter #Portland pic.twitter.com/Ekp8BNmpnq
PPB kills houseless & disabled neighbors.#Justice #BlackLivesMatter #Portland pic.twitter.com/guBBmANn8j
— T. Thorn Coyle (@ThornCoyle) August 4, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter #BlackTransLivesMatter #PortlandStrong pic.twitter.com/H3CoohFPdi
— T. Thorn Coyle (@ThornCoyle) August 4, 2020
Stop Killing People #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/eQRnKV3Qgv
— T. Thorn Coyle (@ThornCoyle) August 4, 2020
In the evening, hundreds of people gathered at Peninsula Park for the “Direct Action for BLM” demonstration.
08/04/2020
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
I have arrived at the park, there’s a snack table and a grill making ribs, an adjacent tree Hass a shield station it looks like
Revolution Ribs, the group formerly known as Riot Ribs, was back in town and feeding protesters once again at Peninsula Park.
Perks of being mobile: we’re cooking for y’all at Peninsula Park tonight!!! ?♥️ Come through for some ribs, the march leaves to an undisclosed location at 8 PM!!! pic.twitter.com/gXovpY1duL
— REVOLUTION RIBS ? (@RevRibs) August 5, 2020
Tuesday Aug 4th, at Peninsula Park in North Portland. A protest march is planned for this evening, destination currently unknown. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/d5uuaJC2WD
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Nice kite pic.twitter.com/A9okOy2QEV
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Crowd voting where to go
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Beehive of shields. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/Fxm0AKAE9o
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Just before 8:55 pm, protesters left Peninsula Park and began marching.
Moving! pic.twitter.com/cPD2oCup6c
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
And the march has started, we have a wall of moms in the front. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/R2UqdkrOoC
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Along the march this fence supporting #BLM and defunding the police pic.twitter.com/1np0HHLnaW
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
I’m hearing from the bikers blocking off traffic that there are a lot of cop cars driving around.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
So it’s been 69 days (yup) and we have an impressive melánge of all the previous elements of these protests marching through NoPo. MotoBloc is escorting a cranky motorist away from the march, Moms in yellow are chanting against “racist ass police” and all the bloc got shields!
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
One vehicle bypassed the upper bike baracade and drive towards the march. Bikes chased it down and it turned a little bit before the crowd. pic.twitter.com/ehRPvEOiZI
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
At about 9:45 pm, protesters reaching The Portland Police Association (PPA) building in North Portland.
We have arrived pic.twitter.com/xXvwFNeDNn
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Hundreds of People have marched to the Portland Police Association (union) in North Portland pic.twitter.com/UlIqbqCp60
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
No police presence visible at Portland Police Association building (Police Union). #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/iIxG4Sxwca
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Marchers have arrived at the Portland Police Association building on N. Lombard, which is across the street from Heavenly Donuts. “Buy all the doughnuts!” a protester shouts.
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) August 5, 2020
We’ve arrived at the Portland Police Bureau’s union HQ. For those following from out of town, yes, the @PortlandPolice put their union across the street from a donut shop. pic.twitter.com/vey5qYI0yT
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
And a dumpster fire pic.twitter.com/wqXahoX6Uk
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
Here we see the front of the Union building. Every door is locked from the outside. But the lights are clearly on. pic.twitter.com/47PifpMEOQ
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 5, 2020
A person was also asked to step away from the crowd or leave where speakers were if they would not put on a mask
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
Barbecue has set up on the corner to feed the protest and neighborhood pic.twitter.com/ZQLmlEb0Zc
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
The projector is out now too. No real property destruction yet, unless you count the dumpster. So far this has the vibe of a block party, cut with some tenseness because everybody expects to get horribly assaulted soon. pic.twitter.com/IQVfFVLZQx
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 5, 2020
#WOM is here and has somewhat co-oped the march. Energy is low and they are protest Policing much of the crowd’s actions #portlabdprotests pic.twitter.com/ywjraBG4pa
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 5, 2020
An update on the individual that was asked to leave for not wearing a mask:
This maskless man, who was taking very close up photos of press earlier, has arrived to defend the honor of the PPA building. pic.twitter.com/1PCUAlrKVu
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 5, 2020
So the guy who was being asked to leave for not wearing a mask is now being escorted away after announcing “I know black people”. He was able to come up with Tiger Woods and Magic Johnson as black people he knew of. So.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
Cool.
The dumpster fire that was started soon after the crowd’s arrival quickly put itself out.
That last tweet took like a half hour to load. In that time this dumpster fire managed to put itself out without anyone being tear gassed. pic.twitter.com/vg3k0NXiV0
— Good Trouble ?? (@MacSmiff) August 5, 2020
People slamming on the busted lock. pic.twitter.com/5Wr1xeNssc
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 5, 2020
Some activists set a fire up right at the wall of the building. A woman draped in an American flag, who marched all the way with this group, steps in to kick the fire away. pic.twitter.com/v2eyx46AjN
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 5, 2020
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
A white peace policer draped in an American flag was ejected from the protest after a long episode around the PPA door.
— Good Trouble ?? (@MacSmiff) August 5, 2020
The demands seem fairly clear. pic.twitter.com/iFsd7DrMER
At about 10:30 pm, law enforcement officers began making announcements over their loudspeakers (LRAD).
Lrad threats pic.twitter.com/h7fS1nfpTP
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Sausages are almost ready at @RevRibs and “Snack Van 2” pulls up. But just then the PPB LRAD announces that people in the crowd are trying to break into the PPA building, “Stop now or you may be cited, arrested, or subject to use of force.” pic.twitter.com/Jnp8rGWP6N
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) August 5, 2020
Same LRAD DJ using a different voice for the “nice” announcement pic.twitter.com/csfdHsURzm
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
While DJ LRAD accuses people of wanting to set the PPA on fire, a dance party breaks out near the fence that’s been erected across Lombard to protect the protesters.
— Good Trouble ?? (@MacSmiff) August 5, 2020
Meek Mill’s “Other Side of America” sets the mood. pic.twitter.com/Hsa3h7fx4Y
Possibly the most Portland 2020 thing possible: a tipped over dumpster that was previously on fire is still being used to recycle. pic.twitter.com/355Tr53B2F
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
Trucker raises fist in solidarity pic.twitter.com/SjixxlVE2v
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
More threats
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
All of ppbs claims are false, pic.twitter.com/cJRKTF7lT2
Imperial march plays as lrad leaves pic.twitter.com/tsBsoHG4kO
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Just before 11:20 pm a silver pickup truck drove aggressively through the crowd, pushing a motorcycle along in front of it. There doesn’t appear to have been any injuries.
Oh fuck, truck reva through the crowd and tries to run over protesters portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/Es8the1nOu
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 5, 2020
INSANE moment when guy drives through the barricade, almost kills a guy on a bike who tries to a top him and speed all the way through the crowd to the fence on the other side. Jesus! We’re lucky no one is dead. pic.twitter.com/lwaZFknEWJ
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
No injuries. A motorcyclist blocked the truck with their bike and bought the crowd a few seconds to get clear. The vehicles have moved into better defensive positions. The LRAD has left, and no police have moved to assist. Folks are a bit nervous about loud mufflers just now.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
More vans and dumpsters being used as baracades in hopes of preventing further veichular attacks. pic.twitter.com/9Ss6Prl0hJ
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
No one was injured. The wall of moms left with some Black women who had been leading chants pic.twitter.com/vKW0oRHSlz
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 5, 2020
The driver of the truck was found in the surrounding neighborhood and has reportedly been apprehended by law enforcement.
The driver has been found. The bike is still under his truck and he appears to have fled to his home on Mobile Av, a couple blocks South of Lombard where the police have already descended. pic.twitter.com/VkkC1Dylc6
— Good Trouble ?? (@MacSmiff) August 5, 2020
I have reason to believe the driver has been apprehended, he also appeared to pull a handgun on some people that tracked him down.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Just before midnight Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.
Unlawful Assembly declared.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Officers have arrived and teargas has been shot. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/fNZbJGECsS
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Police have dispersed protestors, tear gas has been used pic.twitter.com/NF0jTM2TlD
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
CORRECTION: it was smoke, NOT tear gas
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
DJ LRAD explains journalism as the crowd disperses. pic.twitter.com/XibMy0o1tU
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
Standoff happening at 7/11 between cops and protesters #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/B913sXg3w0
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 5, 2020
Cops retreat while crowd follows chanting “no good cops in a racists system!” #portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/xXOPhqu5j4
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 5, 2020
Ppb filming illegally pic.twitter.com/y06sFXnFhJ
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Lrad announces again that lombard is closed and threats of force
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 5, 2020
Some protesters are offering donuts to the Portland Police riot officers holding the skirmish line. #Portlandprotest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/sNWJvCFIys
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 5, 2020
The officers push all the way to Denver Ave. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #acab #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #PortlandStrong #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/tTZun2riSi
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Cops leave. Both sides remind each other they do not agree. pic.twitter.com/1zfZzVVtyz
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
Just after 12:30 am, there were reports of three gunshots fired in the area, prompting officers to return to the area after having just left.
Shots have just been fired on the corner of Lombard & Denver. The crowd runs for cover. As of now no one is hurt. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/IF4RqhRxgC
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 5, 2020
Gun shots fired, unclear who shot them. Three shots. Crowd is dispersing. pic.twitter.com/DcoIKSnGf1
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
No one is hurt, the shooting was three shots. This is NOT an active shooting event. The gun fire is over pic.twitter.com/Z1kB0ZLY5E
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Police are asking if anyone is hurt. Police officers have told the gunfire did not come from them. One eyewitness describes a perosn(not police) shooting a gun into the air and then taking off pic.twitter.com/jdEe7ZyPHi
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Cops come to investigate the shooting, most of the crowd informs them they aren’t needed via a chant. pic.twitter.com/uqHsm7asGV
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
Officers have concluded gathering evidence and are departing the area pic.twitter.com/zijuWGDNAz
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
As the “investigation team” leaves they make the decision to fire some smoke and stun grenades at the crowd. I’ve been told no one was shot during the gunfire. pic.twitter.com/kANKQJuT7C
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 5, 2020
Protestors have smashed a door of the PPA building and are lighting a sign on fire on the street pic.twitter.com/JhI7NrSSmt
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Just after 1:20 am, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot.
Police declare a riot pic.twitter.com/twYLWE7DiS
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Police used smoke to disperse protestors out of the area pic.twitter.com/de4xQ1PWso
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Police bull rushed the crowd, protestors were cleare from the area pic.twitter.com/qWZAzDS8Tq
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Portland police making arrest, one officer maces a protestor for not moving onto the sidewalk while arrest is occurring on the street pic.twitter.com/SphuClmCj1
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Portland police want everyone on the sidewalk pic.twitter.com/HD4mEHVnSt
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 5, 2020
Also? The house in the pic two tweets up is these guys’ place so they couldn’t go home, and now one got popped. They were not protesting and have now had a flash bang thrown at them and their pup (and me and two @ACLU observers) and one guy was arrested. pic.twitter.com/gNucvHSV1B
— Donovan “It was the blurst of times” Farley ?? (@DonovanFarley) August 5, 2020
A member of the press was arrested and was taken off in an ambulance after telling officers that they were experiencing significant pain in the position they were put in while being arrested.
*WARNING*: The footage below contains an individual clearly in distress.
The arrestee asked for medical help, and expressed that the position he was left in was worsening the injury and causing severe pain. The crowd was clearly agitated by this event unfolding. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/aVeNoPIwpG
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 5, 2020
An ambulance arrived on scene to transport the injured arrestee to the hospital. Crowds on ground voiced their concerns to officers about the events that transpired that night. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/UX7bBWEiZJ
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 5, 2020
Media
Present
- Donovan Farley – CashApp: $DonovanFarley1 / PayPal: DonovanFarley / Venmo: Donovan-Farley
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Jasper Florence – Venmo: JFlorencePDX
- Mac Smiff – CashApp: $MacSmiff
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Portland Independent Documentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Robert Evans
- Sergio Olmos
- Suzette Smith
- T. Thorn Coyle
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Articles
CNN
DHS to replace military-style uniforms for federal police officers
The Hill
Police committed 125 human rights violations during Floyd protests: Amnesty
KGW
Riot declared after protesters break into Portland police union headquarters
KOIN
Night 68: Pickup plows through fence, pushes motorcycle
Sociologist: Portland protests can regain focus now that feds gone
OPB
Gunshots in the air, dialogue mark 68th night of Portland protests
The Oregonian
Portland Mercury
Protesters and Lawmakers Are Concerned About the Effects of Expired Tear Gas
Refinery 29
Inside The Portland Protests, Separating Fact From Fiction
Reuters
U.S. prosecutors do not charge Portland protesters with antifa ties
The Seattle Times
Portland protests smaller, calmer, free of tear gas after federal withdrawal
Vox
How Portland’s Wall of Moms collapsed — and was reborn under Black leadership
The Washington Post
DHS plans to change military-style camouflage uniforms seen in Portland
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau
Munitions
- smoke bombs
- flash bangs
- pepper spray
Arrests
PPB: 3
Charges
Riot, Disorderly Conduct II, Interfering with a Police Officer, Attempting to Assault a Public Safety Officer