Protests for August 19

Summary

The nightly demonstration in Portland, Oregon began at Elizabeth Caruthers Park in the southwest area of the city. While a destination for the march wasn’t announced in advance, the flier for the event that went around on social media contained an image of protesters holding up signs that read, “Fuck ICE”. Paired with the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility’s location less than a mile away, many figured that would be the destination of the march. So by 9:15 pm, hundreds of protesters departed from Elizabeth Caruthers Park and made their way to the ICE building.

While [Department of Homeland Security] Federal Protective Services (FPS) officers were seen in and around the ICE building, all 3 pushes of protesters out of the area for the night were perpetrated by Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers. For at least two of the pushes, FPS officers were seen on video advancing on protesters a short distance to an intersection directly next to the ICE building before PPB officers came in and continued pushing protesters further north. During these pushes, officers were seen on video macing and shoving protesters from behind with their batons as they walked away, shoving press, and liberally deploying tear gas at protesters (particularly at the start of the third push).

After the second push away from the ICE facility, protesters managed to procure a mattress which they set on fire and subsequently carried with them part of the way back to the building. The mattress was eventually put in the middle of an intersection and other items were placed on top, including trash cans and a full size picnic table, feeding the flames.

After the third, and final, push by FPS and PPB officers working in conjunction, PPB officers withdrew from the area for the last time. A very small group of protesters elected to make their way back to the ICE building. With dwindling numbers and lower energy in the early hours of August 20th, the night ended without any further incident.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gathered in Elizabeth Caruthers park for the nightly demonstration.

The ICE building is less than one mile away from the park.

Around 9:15 pm, protesters began leaving the park to march elsewhere.

Just before 9:30 pm, protesters arrived at the ICE building.

At about 9:55 pm, federal officers declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Shortly after, federal officers left the ICE building and came out to confront protesters.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers arrived on the scene and began pushing protesters out of the area.

Around 10:30 pm, PPB officers retreated from the area to which protesters had been pushed. Federal officers were no longer present at this time.

Just before 10:40 pm, protesters arrived back at the ICE building.

Just before 10:50 pm, federal officers once again exited the ICE facility and began pushing protesters away from the building.

Around 11:55 pm, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot.

A few protesters managed to remain in front of the ICE building while most others were pushed out of the area.

Just before 11:45 pm, protesters arrived back at the ICE building for the third time of the night.

At about 12:05 am, federal officers reemerged from the ICE building for the third time and quickly deployed tear gas at protesters.

Multiple times in the night, federal officers were seen halting their push at an intersection next to the ICE facility, allowing PPB officers to come up from behind and continue pushing protesters north, as seen below:

Media

Present

Articles

Committee to Protect Journalists

‘We’re scared shitless out here’: Four reporters on covering the federal response to Portland protests

KGW

Portland man sent to prison for Molotov cocktail attack in 2012, arrested again during protests

Riot declared at ICE building in South Waterfront

‘We must work to build and not destroy.’: County officials decry riot, fire at Multnomah Building

What will it take to stop violent protests in Portland?

KOIN

Attorney to MultCo DA: Change protest prosecution stance

Milwaukie man arrested after gunfire at Portland protest

Night 83: Marchers walk across Burnside Bridge in Portland

Newsweek

Trump’s Chief of Staff Says Federal Agents Will Have to Be Sent Back to Portland

OPB

FBI investigating former Navy SEAL, improvised explosive tossed at Portland protesters

Portland police arrest counterdemonstrator for allegedly firing gun

The Oregonian

Police declare riot on 84th night of protests, after vandalism at ICE building in Southwest Portland

Portland man beaten during downtown protest: What a new 32-minute video reveals

Portland Mercury

County Leaders Condemn Damage to County Office, Commend Officers’ Response

Good Afternoon, News: Local Officials Go Off on Protesters, Lots of Cops Under Investigation, and More USPS Shenanigans

TriMet Wants Your Thoughts on Police and Security on Transit

The Washington Post

Portland protesters broke ICE building windows. Police responded with tear gas.

Videos of Portland protesters show a complicated relationship with police and policing

Willamette Week

Portland Man Says Riot Police Assaulted Him While He Was Walking Home From a Bar

Portland Police Arrest Conservative Protester Skylor Jernigan for Firing Shots Into Crowd

Reaction to Protesters Setting Multnomah County Headquarters on Fire May Signal a Shift

U.S. Marshals Service Says It Flew a Small Plane Over Portland Protests to Photograph Crowds Below

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • pepper balls
  • smoke grenades
  • mace
  • tear gas

Arrests

2

Charges

Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II