Summary
On the evening of August 9th, protesters gathered at Kenton Park in North Portland. Around 9:30 pm, approximately 150 protesters left the park and marched to The Portland Police Association (PPA) building. Less than 15 minutes after arriving, The Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Up to that point protesters had been seen chanting and playing drums in front of the building and setting one small fire that quickly put itself out. Around 15 minutes after declaring the unlawful assembly, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot while simultaneously officers had already begun pushing protesters out of the area in a riot line.
Officers continued to disperse protesters using flash bangs, pepper balls and by running at protesters from behind and arresting some, and the already relatively small group was quickly split up throughout the area. Some protesters eventually made their way back to the PPA, where they were quickly subjected to dispersal and mass arrests once again. At about 11:45 pm, officers left the area and the few protesters left in front of the PPA building. By 1 am, protester numbers had dwindled and the night ended.
After events in North Portland ended, members of the community went downtown to the Justice Center to do jail support for the many protesters who were arrested during the brief demonstration.
Scheduled Events
- Daily BLM Demonstration – Nike World Campus – Noon
- BLM Sign Waving Protest – Noon
- Families Marching For Black Lives – 3 pm
- Direct Action March – 7 pm
Timeline
Protesters gathered at Kenton Park in North Portland.
It is very chill. Basically the vibe of what a chill Sunday afternevening in a park should feel like. Except that this is just the calm before the potential storm. Like the young protester said, they hope the police will not be aggressive, but they aren’t holding their breath. pic.twitter.com/jPUwwys869
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 10, 2020
This van crew is out with burritos, Gatorade, and some other snacks and drinks. They’re just out to support by givin out free stuff. Police “don’t like the vans” they said they hope more people show up because they anticipate it being a rough night. pic.twitter.com/IszZ1H7jo7
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 10, 2020
Portland Action Medics are also out here passing out some free supplies to a very chill crowd. pic.twitter.com/Erhx3p1shL
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 10, 2020
Upside down American flag flying pic.twitter.com/X5STfjT85I
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
The crowd is getting somewhat geared up and ready for the march. Officers are already sighted, and I say farewell to the cat in hopes I meet them again.
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
Crowd call and response “Unitl we get justice for Breonna Taylor we will be out here:” “Every day!” “Every day!” “Every day!”
— Jake “wear a mask” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 10, 2020
Night #74 of #BlackLivesMatter protests in #Portland. Crowds are assembled in Kenton Park about to March. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests pic.twitter.com/qlgGNQKYpw
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
Just after 9:30 pm, protesters departed from Kenton Park and began marching.
Marching from Kenton Park has begun pic.twitter.com/9DaMWXOeIJ
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
The crowd is small, but not as small as I'd feared based on earlier reports. Maybe 150 people. It's sufficient, barely
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
From one house people rush out as the march passes and put down a case of water for the protesters. People in the march yell “Thank you!” pic.twitter.com/VJWmeTkpgE
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
The crowd chants Michael Brown's name. 6 years ago, police shot the unarmed Brown to death in Ferguson and America saw the first sparks of this uprising
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Everyone who thinks working entirely within the system is the answer should sit with that number.
Six years. What's changed?
Handing out shields as protestors walk by pic.twitter.com/kO5eXx6DWb
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 10, 2020
At about 9:45 pm, protesters arrived at The Portland Police Association (PPA) building.
We have arrived to the PPA, I see a handful of leafblowers & shields. Someone pointed out to me that KOIN has yet to film any of the speeches from the Black community earlier & now are started to film since we arrived.
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
And DJ LRAD has entered the scene. Inaudible over the chanting and booing
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Hijinks have occured at this building on previous nights, and I've told you about them
Tonight? Nothing but chanting so far
There is a small fire near the back gate of the PPA building now. pic.twitter.com/YJlb5zwkih
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
The LRAD seems to be telling people not to commit crimes or else
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Some dumpsters in the road
At 9:55 pm, Portland Police (PPB) declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.
An unlawful assembly was just declared
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
A New LRAD dj has just declared an unlawful assembly and given a dispersal order. So far, this crowd has…. drummed.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
And it's already been put out pic.twitter.com/ovLKSZ0qeE
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
One of the dumpsters is extremely on fire again
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Riot cops spotted on Elmore. Unclear what direction they're coming from but they're here and they're coming pic.twitter.com/1fRZp9Rv6a
Just after 10:10 pm, PPB officers rushed protesters blocks away from the PPA building.
So, a maybe four second bull rush just happened. It seemed extremely targeted, they are back to just waking now as we are still getting pushed back.
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
Around the same time, PPB declared the gathering a riot, less than half an hour after protesters arrived in the area.
A riot was declared *during dispersals* you can see a bull rush begin as police declare a riot pic.twitter.com/f3VSIAxD8I
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 10, 2020
Bullrushed several blocks. Riot declared. Words have no meaning
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Portland Police has mobilzed and pushed protesters Northeast. Police launched pepperballs and impact munitions. Crowds responded with fireworks and eggs. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #Blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/eJ6RhCrVCp
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
Portland Police and OSP Troopers executed a dynamic rush and made several targeted arrests. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/R0WFyFJ1Mz
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
We've been pushed to Kenton Park. Flash bang shrapnal has struck my pinky finger. Blood blister, no big deal
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
Yesterday I said I'd cut off my own pinky for better cell data and hopefully this is God's way of taking me up on it
Police halted on Kilpatrick and Brandon
Protesters are back by Kenton park. Being told to move more west
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
So we were told to move west, the crowd went west but now it’s “more west” kind of like “get on the sidewalk” when we are on the sidewalk and they go “no, MORE on the sidewalk” and then just brutally force it.
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
Law enforcement officers drove through Kenton Park chasing down protesters.
Officers are now driving through Kenton Park chasing the crowd pic.twitter.com/Kfydq6Owha
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
At the 00:17 second mark, journalist Laura Jedeed is seen wearing a high-visibility vest being pushed by an officer. Laura’s own footage of the moment is directly below this footage by @PDocumentarians.
Portland Police executed a dynamic push on protesters through the Kenton Park making several arrests. This enforcement action splintered the protest crowd into many smaller groups. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DotlzrSRNT
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
The police forcibly prevent me from filming an arrest#DefendPDX #portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab #trumpsgestapo #momsarehere #portlandprotest pic.twitter.com/skRXWSk4qa
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
The crowd has been dispursed in multiple directions but there are still declarations of a riot. pic.twitter.com/PF8nLzIJoh
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
Another arrest is being made mid field pic.twitter.com/dWACZJLAhk
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
The group has been severely scattered. It was never big enough for this
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
And that's the real reason it's been declared a riot: not because the crowd poses a danger, but because it doesn't. Because it's easy to bully
There's about a dozen police vehicles just chilling in the park now. pic.twitter.com/hA0SxvfgN4
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
A separate group of protesters were still being dispersed by officers on foot elsewhere.
Police removed barricades, these weren’t put up by protesters but by Restuarnt’s could socially distance tables outside pic.twitter.com/VQELkT01Zh
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 10, 2020
Protesters are putting back up the Kenton association street barricades the the police knocked over pic.twitter.com/dS33VRAqOa
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
One reporter went to the Justice Center, where most demonstrations had been held almost every night prior to the last few days.
Whelp, had to work late and planned going to Kenton around 11pm, but apparently riot was declared and dispersal has already happened. Thought I’d stop and see what was up with the ol’ JC instead – there’s maybe 20 people there ? #portlandprotests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 10, 2020
A small group of protesters made their way back to the PPA.
20 or 30 protesters have decided to resume chanting "black lives matter" next to the PPA: an activity which the LRAD immediately reminds everyone constitutes a riot
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
With a much smaller crowd reassembled at the PPA building officers are making announcements to clear from the area and declarations of a riot. pic.twitter.com/87GVMWIpyK
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
A group of about 50 protestors returned to the PPA. Police remind them that this is “still a riot” pic.twitter.com/dWYhaLp5Pz
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 10, 2020
A lot of officers out now in front of the PPA building pic.twitter.com/2AnJOBDS4e
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
Another halfsie bull rush that seemed very targeted
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
Officers began making mass arrests of protesters that had returned to the PPA building.
Protesters came back to the PPA, they were staying on the sidewalk and not touching the building at all. The cops still insisted, despite law and evidence, that it was a riot. They drove up and arrested a few random protesters. #PortlandProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/1UAIIk0tUk
— Portland Protest Sounds (@ProtestSound) August 10, 2020
Police roll up to PPA, dismount quickly, make one arrest, and disperse protestors pic.twitter.com/R5b4rRjFtb
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 10, 2020
A member of the press was arrested, seen below:
Police moved in pic.twitter.com/6lphibebio
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 10, 2020
Sound on for this one. Heavenly Donuts is playing "America the Beautiful" while the police make mass arrests pic.twitter.com/l6AAgZiE20
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
In a pincer movement, Portland Police kettled protesters and carried out mass arrests on N Interstate Ave. Many protesters were on their way out of the area.#PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/uK2DXlMrZP
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
A group of protesters and residents of the neighborhood have come out in front of the PPA building. A mass arrest is happening at the moment. Protesters tell me #Portlandmoms leader Demetria Hester has just been arrested. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wcclGzDoSB
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 10, 2020
Someone throws a glass bottle at the cops. They flag the whole crowd with their weapons. No shots fired. Things remain tense
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
The Heavenly Donuts speaker (which is apparently a protest speaker there with permission) begins to play Amazing Grace
The police leave. A truly astounding number of cop cars and riot vans head out. Everyone here should be deeply honored at how much of a threat they consider you
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
A ton of cops back out on their riot vans. Everyone is still in front of PPA, and the energy is still fairly high.
— Shea (she/her) (@SheaPDX_) August 10, 2020
Final (?) withdrawal from in front of PPA pic.twitter.com/cYStUQ8JJC
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
We just heard the LRAD again. Maybe 20 people out here total
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) August 10, 2020
At this hour, Jail support activity is ongoing in Chapman Square for those arrested tonight, several of whom were prominent black organizers, who were arrested for standing on the PPA sidewalk and leading chants with a megaphone.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
The journalists at 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade provided a summary of events for the night from the ground, the first installment of which is below (click on the tweet to see the full thread):
Impressions from tonight: a small, committed group gathered, marched to the Portland Police Association. And chanted at it. The PPB declared an unlawful assembly almost immediately.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 10, 2020
Downtown in the area around the Justice Center, some protesters were arrested and reportedly held in a van for an extended period of time despite telling arresting officers that their gas masks made it difficult for them to breathe in the confined space.
— Matcha chai (@matcha_chai) August 10, 2020
Yall they wont let the 5 arrestees out of the back of the van still after they were having issues breathing with their gas masks on. They've been kept there for over an hour.
— Matcha chai (@matcha_chai) August 10, 2020
Media
- Cory Elia (KBOO) – CashApp $CoryElia / paypal.me/CoryElia / Venmo @ Cory-Elia
- Jake Johnson @FancyJenkins – CashApp: $bucksarecool / Venmo: jakefartstoo / http://Paypal.me/fancyjenkins
- Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) – CashApp/Venmo: misanthrophile
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Sergio Olmos
- Shea @SheaPDX_
- 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist
Present
Articles
ABC News
Riot swiftly declared for Portland protest at union building
CBS News
Riot declared in Portland for second night in row
KOIN
Night 73: Demonstrators organize in North Portland
KGW
Protesters gather in North Portland as nightly demonstrations continue
NPR
Portland Protesters Return Their Attention To The Local Police Force
OPB
As nightly conflicts in Portland draw headlines, reforms gradually advance
Portland police arrest hate crime survivor Demetria Hester during Sunday protest
Note on the above article “Portland police arrest…”: the author of the article appears to have used footage that captured Demetria Hester’s arrest from photojournalist Clementson Supriyadi without their permission.
OPB is using @cdsupriyadi’s footage WITHOUT CONSENT OR COMPENSATION of Demetria’s arrest and did not so much as ask — Clem has been risking arrest and injury each night. How dare you exploit him and other independent journalists? Please spread awareness and follow us @defendpdx https://t.co/Rw5fRE5UaE
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@bogwitchenergy) August 10, 2020
The Oregonian
Demetria Hester, Black activist and hate crime victim, among 16 arrested in Portland protest
Portland police declare riot Sunday after small crowd marches on police union
Portland Mercury
Time
The Washington Post
Portland police arrest a hate crime survivor and Wall of Moms organizer in crackdown
Willamette Week
Amid Nightly Protests, Pipe Bombs Explode in Laurelhurst Park
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau
- Oregon State Police
Munitions
- flash bangs
- pepper balls
Arrests
Charges
Riot, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with a Peace Officer