Protests for August 17 – Re: Portland

Summary

On the evening of August 17th, protesters met at Kenton City Park in North Portland, where they eventually left from to march to The Portland Police Association (PPA) building. At its peak, the protest numbered around 200 people. When protesters arrived at the PPA there were no officers in sight. The only appearance made by Portland Police (PPB) officers in riot gear happened towards the beginning of the demonstration, when the PPB’s loudspeakers announced that officers were coming in to check damage to the building and pushed protesters away from the building. At least one canister of smoke and some pepper balls were deployed at protesters as PPB departed.

The protest then reportedly took on a relaxed, block party ambience until Letha Winston, mother of Patrick Kimmons, arrived on the scene and chastised protesters for sitting around. In her speech she urged protesters to march through the streets and through residential neighborhoods and make their voices heard. When she eventually left, the crowd was torn between marching and staying firm in front of the PPA. Demetria Hester was also at the demonstration and urged protesters to “stay together, stay tight” (a popular protest chant), when a small group decided to splinter off and march elsewhere. This group eventually came back to the main demonstration.

Joey Gibson, a prominent figure with the local far-right, also made an appearance at the night’s demonstration, but was quickly pushed away by protesters.

Towards the end of the night a small fire was set against the PPA building, setting an awning on fire and leaving scorch marks but leaving no other visible external damage. This prompted a response from multiple fire trucks and PPB, who simply asked protesters to cross to the other side of the street rather than deploying crowd control munitions at the dwindling group. The night ended not long after without further incident.

Scheduled Events

Black Lives Matter Lents SE Portland – 6:30 pm
Kenton City Park /// Direct Action March – 8 pm

Timeline

During the day, a group of community members gathered by the Portland Police Association building demanding “the immediate cessation of militarized police activity on [their] streets”.

pic.twitter.com/4B7oi6QE3Q
— sillybloc (@sillybloc) August 17, 2020

In the evening, protesters met at Kenton City Park in North Portland for the nightly demonstration.

I’m at Kenton Park in North Portland covering tonight’s Direct Action march calling for “No cops. No prisons. Total abolition.”

About 40 people are at the park, along with a medic tent, free snacks and protective gear, and this assortment of free zines. pic.twitter.com/1ldpoO89ZB
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

“Yo! If you’re a BIPOC protestor and need a respirator, this wagon is for you!” someone yells to the crowd (which has grown to ~100 people).

People clap and cheer.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

The mood at Kenton Park is light. One person is helping another learn how to put on a respirator for the first time. Another person strums a guitar. Lots of laughter coming from people chatting in small groups spaced out on the grass. Crowd has continued to grow to ~120 people.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

The crowd is getting ready to roll out. Night 82 kicking off y’all. pic.twitter.com/hB7X4i5USi
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

According to the flyer, the jail has become a COVID-19 hotspot with guards refusing to wear masks. People in the jail are being kept on lockdown 22 hours per day. (2/2)
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Chanting “Black Lives Matter” the crowd begins to advance. pic.twitter.com/CNueZJkbC2
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

The crowd of about 200 people has begun marching south on N. Brandon Ave., chanting:

“No justice, no peace!”
“No racist police!” pic.twitter.com/fViLwF4uZY
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

With a warning that “eyes are behind us” the crowd turns onto North Lombard. I can see Heavenly Donuts in the immediate horizon. pic.twitter.com/NIaze22BJm
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

Just after 10:05 pm, protesters arrived at The Portland Police Association (PPA) building.

Protesters have just arrived at the Portland Police Association Building in North Portland. Support vehicles are moving into place to protect the crowd from vehicular attacks. #PortlandProtests #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wqWKnnRLub
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 18, 2020

The crowd has filled the street, blocking traffic. Several people walk through the crowd asking if everyone has the National Lawyers Guild phone number in case they are arrested.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Much has been added to the PPA. Standout line: “I’m done being afraid.” pic.twitter.com/5moVHX9g0A
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

The crowd sits back and awaits whatever is to come. A speech plays on very nice set of speakers. Pretty powerful, to my ears. pic.twitter.com/SMm45feDBU
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

Traffic is blocked on N. Fenwick.

“You fucking people, go back to your own neighborhood,” a driver shouts.

“This is our neighborhood!” one volunteer says, laughing. “I live here!”

Another car drives by immediately after. “Stay safe guys!” the driver calls out their window. pic.twitter.com/i0KYEHYJ6X
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

A car just rolled past the car barricade on Lombard yelling that the kingdom of heaven is at hand
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

To me it looks more like a quiet block party with doughnuts
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

A driver in a van leans out of his window in front of the vehicle barricade and begins shouting Dominionist Christian slogans at protesters:

“The devil is going to eat you alive. The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” pic.twitter.com/7x0ysBpB89
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

Joey Gibson, a right wing figure and founder of far-right group Patriot Prayer, made a very brief appearance at the demonstration.

Joey gibson is here
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

The crowd escorted him out of the protest and someone took his hat. Don’t know if this hat has his name on it or not. pic.twitter.com/gxH2BO2d3N
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

LRAD arrived, and is asking for permission to check the PPA building for “attempted burglary” and “vandalism”. There has been no attempt to force entry into the PPA building
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

The police are stating that people are trying to force entry into the building. This is not true pic.twitter.com/ZyFhoVoaIu
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

PPB is requesting that protesters move away from the PPA so officers can make sure protesters aren’t trying to break in. That’s new. https://t.co/mW7mhwQmEe https://t.co/RtFsLoK77J
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) August 18, 2020

Officers in riot gear made their first appearance of the night around 11:05 pm but retreated again quickly.

Hey look, a bunch of cops! pic.twitter.com/OxUYN6ofbo
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

One officer has failed to clean all the paint off his uniform. We are all so busy these days. pic.twitter.com/QyFQZYSSk9
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

The Police retreat and throw a grenade. A protester throws it back. They light him and the crowd up with pepperballs. Then they drive off. pic.twitter.com/Ed0xlUQLj5
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

And with the police gone, Demetria switches from “your momma hates you” back to “whose lives matter? Black lives matter!”

It is hard to overstate what an absolute fixture Demetria has been at these protests. Most of the crowd audibly responded when they recognized her voice.
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

Footage of a public bus rolling by. The crowd parts. The driver puts his fist in the air. The crowd cheers. pic.twitter.com/20kCYTHLcZ
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

Patrick Kimmons mom comes on as a strong voice on the megaphone yelling “Hold the Police accountable” “if you want to hold the police accountable start marching!”
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

Letha Winston, who spoke at yesterday’s protest in downtown Portland, has arrived and admonishes protesters for sitting down instead of marching.

“You guys look like a fucking joke. Walk down residential areas! Wake people up.” pic.twitter.com/B1ZQwB8tfn
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Winston: “Sitting down is not an option … It couldn’t be Black Lives Matter if you’re not marching … I appreciate y’all being out here for the movement, but sitting down isn’t getting justice … It looks like you got a nice crowd, whoever’s running it. But you got to march.”
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

The crowd has now assembled around Letha. There seems to be broad support for her plan to march on from the PPA.

I am not convinced that marching through neighborhoods will work much better than this. But she is clearly right that the cops don’t care about this march at present. pic.twitter.com/rgbTfoWz2U
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

She gives an extended speech, where she expresses her frustration that people were sitting down. Her belief is that marching in neighborhoods and waking people up is what will force change. pic.twitter.com/V8K9F6tSF7
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

The crowd cheers and some yell “Let’s march!”

Winston: “I hate to tell you guys this … There is no way on God’s green earth should anybody be sitting on these streets. This was a fucking party when I pulled up. It was unbelievable. They’ve killed us.”
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Winston: “What’s his name?”
Crowd: “Patrick Kimmons!”
Winston: “Say his name!”
Crowd: “Patrick Kimmons!” pic.twitter.com/Fm6qQ0N3Kv
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Part of the crowd split off, intending to march elsewhere, while the rest of the protesters remained in front of the PPA.

Winston left and for several minutes the crowd debates whether to march or stay by the Portland Police Association building. Eventually, a white protester leads a group as it splits off and begins walking down N. Campbell Ave. Some yell after them to stop.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

And we are marching
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

The bulk of the crowd has decided to stick with Demetria Hester. They are still out in front of the PPA. pic.twitter.com/vaAb2kC4Zx
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 18, 2020

Not much has happened since officers withdrew. Crowd numbers have dwindled to less than 100.

Someone tried to lead the protesters on a march through the neighborhood, but Demetria Hester shut it down, leading the group in a chant of “Stay together! Stay tight!”
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) August 18, 2020

Demetria is telling the crowd to stay together and stay tight “Unity” “Unity” call and response. “We’re here for one purpose and one purpose only, Black lives matter” “Black lives matter” “whose lives matter” “black lives matter”
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

The group of protesters that had split off less than ten minutes prior made their return.

The marchers have circled around and are returning from the east. Demetria, on the mic at PPA: “who’s ready for this revolution?”
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) August 18, 2020

The crowd had shrunk fairly considerably. “I said fuck the police” “fuck the police”
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

Hester leads a row of Moms United for Black Lives in a chant:

“Whose lives matter?”
“Black lives matter!”

The crowd has shrunk to about 60 people who are standing in groups spread around the two blocks in front of the Portland Police Association building. pic.twitter.com/a65n1yr2sa
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Protesters put up fencing at one of the intersections by the PPA.

Hey @sacredfence, do you know this fence? Is this fence you? pic.twitter.com/bCKecq47qZ
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

Protesters shout after an unmarked silver truck that’s been parked across the street and circling the block. pic.twitter.com/fiKXTjnCvm
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Crowd has shrunk to about 30 people. Heavenly Donuts is still open and several protestors are walking around with bags of doughnuts in hand, sharing with each other.

Signing off for tonight. Night! ✌? pic.twitter.com/9T2AtbRRIH
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

PPA fire pic.twitter.com/jqPgbsPwZO
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

The police and four firefighters came to respond to a fire that was pretty much out by the time they arrived. The fire burned the awning on the side street of the PPA pic.twitter.com/Tg135F8lZJ
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

Just to interject while videos load… the police just ordered everyone to cross the street didn’t really see any attempts at a use of force.
— Jake “✊️???????✊️” Johnson (@FancyJenkins) August 18, 2020

The fire was out and scene was calm by 3:10 a.m. Portland police officers were clustered in the parking lot of the 7 Eleven across the street from the PPA building. A small group of protesters and press were also nearby. pic.twitter.com/HXA29SvpZ8
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Police officers shine a flashlight into a vehicle parked on the street by the awning.

One person asks “Do you have a warrant to search that vehicle?”

I’m close enough to hear one police officer murmur to their companion: “Do you have a warrant to burn down our building?” pic.twitter.com/nKrbl18J3U
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

“Are other police officers not members of the community?” I ask.

“Now you’re just nitpicking,” the officer responds.

“So you don’t have to wear face masks even though you’re standing closer than six feet apart?”

The officer stops responding. (2/2)
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) August 18, 2020

Media

Present

Cata Gaitán
Jake Johnson @FancyJenkins – CashApp: $bucksarecool / Venmo: jakefartstoo / http://Paypal.me/fancyjenkins
Robert Evans
Suzette Smith
45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade – CashApp: $45thabsurdist / Venmo: the45thabsurdist

Articles

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

Pepper balls
Smoke grenade

Arrests

None

Charges