Protests for August 12

Posted on by sal

Summary

Around midday in Bend, Oregon on August 12, an impromptu protest blocking a bus transporting two men detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) formed. Hundreds of community members rallied in the area, keeping the bus with the detained individuals in place for hours until around 11 pm when federal officers came and forcefully took the detained individuals away.

Back in Portland, around 4 pm a group of individuals were spotted in the parking lot of Mall 205 in Southeast Portland with a “thin blue line” flag (a flag used by supporters of law enforcement). This small group of between 10 – 15 people appeared to be meeting up in the parking lot and eventually left the area. Their presence was spread around social media, prompting many to believe they may show up at the nightly protest. However, there was no sign of these counter-protesters at the demonstration that took place that night.

In the evening, protesters were back in Downtown Portland, the location where most nightly demonstrations have taken place for the last two and a half months. The first couple hours of the demonstration consisted of speakers in front of the Justice Center. Some of these speakers insisted on the importance of “law and order” and voting for Joe Biden in the November election, prompting many in the crowd to either vocally disagree or wander away into the parks next to them rather than continue to listen. After the speeches ended most protesters headed over to the front of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse one block north of the Justice Center, where a couple small fires were started and fireworks were launched (much to the chagrin of those reporters who are not fans of very sudden, very loud bangs).

Just after 11:30 pm, Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and ten minutes later began dispersing by pushing protesters west in a riot line and shooting smoke grenades towards the crowd. This push ended after officers had moved protesters two blocks north and then one block west and then officers retreated from the area, but not before declaring a riot just before midnight.. When protesters made their way back to the Justice Center, officers once again began pushing them west, this time using tear gas as well. After pushing protesters all the way to 10th Ave. (The Justice Center and federal courthouse are on 3rd Ave.), officers once again retreated. Protesters heading east back towards the Justice Center were confronted by officers again, but this time they were not pushed far. Despite many officers spotted circling the area on a variety of vehicles (including vans and motorcycles), the night appeared to end without further incident.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

In Bend, Oregon, what started as a couple individuals blocking a bus purportedly transporting two community members for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned into hundreds of community members coming out in support.

A thread of tweets from an individual whose mother was on the ground in Bend providing live updates (click to be taken to Twitter to see the thread):

Protesters in Bend remained through to nightfall until the arrival of federal officers, who took the two men on the ICE bus away and pepper sprayed multiple protesters, after which they eventually dispersed.

Back in Portland (and back in time): Ahead of the protest scheduled to happen downtown, counter-protesters were spotted at Mall 205 in Southeast Portland.

In the evening, protesters were back downtown for the nightly demonstration.

A few small fires were set by protesters.

Around 11:20 pm, law enforcement officers made their first announcements over their loudspeakers (LRAD).

Just before 11:30, a small group of offices emerged from the Justice Center escorting individuals getting of their work shift, then promptly returned inside.

Just after 11:30 pm, Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 11:40 pm, officers in full riot gear appeared on the street and began pushing protesters out of the area.

Officers deployed smoke grenades while pushing protesters.

Just before midnight, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot.

Right after the riot declaration, officers retreated out of the area, going south back towards the Justice Center and federal courthouse.

With officers retreating, protesters began making their way back to the Justice Center.

Officers in riot gear began pushing protesters out of the area for a second time, this time also deploying tear gas as a tool of dispersal.

For location context, The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is on Broadway and Salmon. The federal courthouse is on 3rd and Salmon. The Arlene Schnitzer Hall is 4 blocks west of where officers began their second dispersal.

On their way back to the Justice Center on 3rd and Main, protesters were met with officers once again.

Reports indicate the group of counter-protesters that were seen at Mall 205 went to the PPB’s east precinct. There was no protest planned at that location for the night of August 13.

Media

Present

Articles

ABC News

Tear gas at Portland protests raises concern about pollution

CNN

Peaceful Portland protesters will not be prosecuted to avoid ‘irreparable harm,’ DA announces

Insider

Critics say Portland protests have been co-opted by ‘white spectacle,’ but Black activists say they’re staying focused on Black lives

KGW

Protesters gather at Chapman Square in downtown Portland

KOIN

Night 76: Riot, tear gas, arrests in downtown Portland

Sociologist to protesters: ‘What are you demanding?’

The New York Times

Portland Protest Clashes Re-emerge Near US Courthouse

OPB

Bend residents halt ICE arrests with impromptu protest

The Oregonian

After someone threw explosive devices at protesters in Laurelhurst Park, questions arise over police investigation

ICE agents detain Bend men as angry crowd protests

Police use tear gas during overnight ‘riot’ as Portland protests return downtown Wednesday

Portland Mercury

Good Afternoon, News: Council Clears Path for Affordable Housing, Kushner and Kanye’s Secret Chats, and Are Cops Ignoring Crimes Against Protesters?

Refinery 29

The Black Moms At The Heart Of The Portland Protests

Southern Poverty Law Center

When the ‘Alt-Right’ Hit the Streets: Far-Right Political Rallies in the Trump Era

The Washington Post

Liberal prosecutors face backlash over lenient charges following civil unrest and looting

Willamette Week

Email Exchange Shows Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese Was Concerned About DA Mike Schmidt’s Plan to Dismiss Rioting Charges

Federal Prosecutors Aren’t Waiting to Find Out if a Progressive DA Will Charge Portland Protesters. They’re Doing It Themselves.

How Angry Is Donald Trump at Portland This Week? Check the Presidential Rage-O-Meter.

Police

Agencies Present

  • Oregon State Police
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • smoke grenades
  • tear gas
  • pepper balls
  • mace/pepper spray

Arrests

2

Charges

Disorderly Conduct II, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Resist Arrest, Riot, Criminal Mischief II, Reckless Burning