Summary
This was not the first time a main demonstration hadn’t been planned for the night in Portland, Oregon. In the days when every demonstration was automatically assumed to take place downtown, people would show up in front of the Justice Center whether there was an official event planned or not. Events co-occurring in the early evening in Peninsula Park (North Portland) and Jamison Square (Downtown Portland) drew small crowds, but when night came on August 13th there was no main demonstration in sight. Some protesters still went to the Justice Center, but even by 9:30 – 10 pm, there were 50 people in the area at most. With already small numbers from the start, the night came and went uneventfully.
Scheduled Events
- Justice for Patrick Kimmons – 10 am
- Rally to Save the Children – 11 am
- Stop Killing Us: A Black Lives Still Matter Exhibition – Noon
- Cottonwood School Family Protest – 4:30 pm
- Lake Oswego Black Lives Matter Protest – 5 pm
- Noize N the Hood March & Sit-In – 5 pm
- Elevate BIPOC Market – 5 pm
- Mind Over Money – 6 pm
Timeline
At 6 pm, community members gathered at Peninsula Park in North Portland to hear speeches and march a short route around the neighborhood.
About 20 or so gathered at Peninsula Park Gazebo for an event titled Mind Over Money. According to the website PDX Black Lives Matter Events, it's focus is discussing mental health within the Black community and it's being put on by a group called Black Unity PDX. #koin6news pic.twitter.com/ECsBzEKGTE
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
About 20-30 taking to N Kerby Ave. for a peaceful march now. pic.twitter.com/CCgxl0yp7Z
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
Group organizers making speeches now, stopped temporarily near N Williams and Ainsworth. pic.twitter.com/vfJqmBpBm6
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
“Peaceful protest” is one of the many chants this group is saying. pic.twitter.com/rVmLA8ydDf
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
People making messages in chalk at the intersection. pic.twitter.com/5q9gE2unsk
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
Marchers heading back to Peninsula Park now as Rami leads a song. pic.twitter.com/lfKfI3LWhm
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
Returning to Peninsula Park now where listening to music, eating snacks and holding a Q and A session is next on the agenda for this family friendly event. pic.twitter.com/bFHuFeADEY
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
In the Pearl District of downtown Portland, another group of protesters gathered and marched around the neighborhood.
We are marching through the Pearl! Speaker @/Jahdi_ on IG is asking folks at bars and restaurants to wake up and join the march. Meanwhile the drumline is raging. #DefendPdx #Act4Change pic.twitter.com/kJdJxZHJIv
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@bogwitchenergy) August 14, 2020
The march has ended in the same park it began — 810 NW 11th Ave — where there is plenty food to share and speeches to reflect on. Jahdi says, “sharing your story can transform you and transform those around you.” #DefendPdx pic.twitter.com/vsOuGWdO7S
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@bogwitchenergy) August 14, 2020
Letha Winston — mother of Patrick Kimmons who was murdered by Portland police — is speaking about what she would do as mayor. Spoiler: she would fire all the cops. #DefendPdx pic.twitter.com/7k4iLxFBgy
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@bogwitchenergy) August 14, 2020
Letha rallies the crowd and reminds them to “take to the streets” as the sun goes down. The group remains here for more speakers to follow — 810 NW 11th Ave #DefendPDX pic.twitter.com/ogyaqtqAsB
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@bogwitchenergy) August 14, 2020
For the first time in a few months I don't know where the main protest in Portland is tonight (assuming there even is one). There was one planned in downtown, but I hear it's dying down. I for one will use this opportunity to actually relax & sleep during normal human hours.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) August 14, 2020
At the customary location for nightly demonstrations in front of the Justice Center, a small crowd gathered despite the fact that there was no event planned.
Ok wow, I get DT around 9:30 for night 79 #portlandprotests & unless there is something else going on I’m not aware of, it’s dead. Maybe 50 people here dispersed. Is this the first night in almost 80 days where there will not be a protests in Portland? pic.twitter.com/Ph7MhQ0xJb
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 14, 2020
I will say it’s funny how many right wing / fasc streamers are out declaring victory lol. 4-5 that I can easily spot at the JC now. Maybe they just don’t normally stand out?
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 14, 2020
As the event is wrapping up, 2 police officers just popped out of the Justice Center in plain uniforms to collect the extension cord protesters were using to give speeches and play music. Kind of dark to see but it was a warm exchange. pic.twitter.com/FOpKnA7JUm
— Danny Peterson (@DannyJPeterson) August 14, 2020
Whelp after a very sad showing and night of #PortlandProtest I’m headed out of DT. Here’s hoping we can show up this weekend in numbers. Learning about a planned event in Penisula park from Danny from Koin 6 news was a particular blow to the journalistic ego lol.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) August 14, 2020
Media
Present
Articles
KOIN
Night 77: Group marches near Peninsula Park
OSP angered by MultCo DA’s decision not to prosecute rioters
KGW
Oregon State Police troopers leaving federal courthouse in downtown Portland
Peaceful night in Portland with multiple demonstrations across the city
OPB
Oregon State Police leave downtown Portland
PSU to disarm campus police officers this fall
The Oregonian
State police pull troopers out of Portland protest coverage, return them to regular assignments
Portland Mercury
After Years of Student Protests, PSU Disarms Its Police Force
Audit Finds City-Approved Business Districts Rely on Unregulated Policing
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau
Munitions
None
Arrests
None
Charges
None