September 3, 2020 – Re: Portland

Protests for September 3

Posted on September 3, 2020September 4, 2020 by audrey

Summary

On Thursday, protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park for a self-care event organized by The Witches, a mutual aid group, followed by a march to the Penumbra Kelly building, where both Portland police and Multnomah County Sheriffs are stationed. Protesters blocked off a section of E. Burnside to shield the group from vehicles. The protest remained uneventful until about midnight, when police rushed the crowd and made a targeted arrest. Police then withdrew back inside the building. At about 12:20 AM a car raced through the protest, narrowly avoiding hitting anyone. PPB then made an announcement over the LRAD that the street was to remain open to traffic. At 1 AM, police came out again and marched a block west, looking at some parked vehicles. PPB and Oregon State Police then returned by vehicle (including OSP motorcycles) to ticket cars and arrest someone. The night ended without further incident around 2 AM.

Scheduled Events

Justice for Patrick Kimmons – 10 AM at North Precinct
Happy Hour at Ted’s – 5 PM on NW Glisan
Gear Up! – 7:30 PM at Laurelhurst Park
Laurelhurst Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

Before tonight’s march, mutual aid group The Witches are holding a self-care and gear resupply event:

I’m at Laurelhurst Park in SE Portland covering tonight’s Direct Action March.

About ~50 people are gathered in the park and there are free wellness packages with candles, bath salts (made with homegrown herbs), chocolate, tarot cards and handwritten notes that say “I love you.” pic.twitter.com/cRVS8od30H
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Three booths are set up offering free abolitionist literature, medical and sanitation supplies, protective gear, and food and drinks. One volunteer scoops out mashed potatoes.

“I get a lot of donated cookable supplies so sometimes I like to cook instead of the usual pizzas.”
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Tonight’s destination is the Penumbra Kelly Building, which houses both a Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and a Portland police precinct.

Bella Ciao is playing as I get to the park.

The people March!
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) September 4, 2020

Protesters have begun marching east chanting “All cops are bastards! A-C-A-B!” pic.twitter.com/MPcvSHUxEO
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

“Black Trans Lives Matter!”

Night 98. Protesters marching from Laurelhurst Park have just arrived at the Penumbra Kelly Building. Portland Police has just warned the crowd & members of the press to stay off the building property. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/PDxqFPyR8T
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

Protesters are gathered on E. Burnside St. and on the sidewalk in front of the driveway. Multnomah County Sheriff and Portland police share offices here.

Police vehicles face protesters with their brights on. One protester steps into the driveway and holds up a middle finger. pic.twitter.com/ACx5c30CEO
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

MCSO deputies and traffic police officers arrived one block from the Penumbra Kelly building to move the obstacles set up in the streets. They departed shortly after. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/g3cGKNzYzm
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

Protesters have blocked SE 50th Ave. with bicycles, a dumpster, recycling bins and yellow caution tape.

A #20 TriMet bus driving west down Burnside paused for a minute before rerouting and taking a right. pic.twitter.com/rQSNrjQAEm
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Nice sign!
Reminder that the officers that killed officers have not faces any consequences pic.twitter.com/5uFMuQUWA4
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) September 4, 2020

Crowd grows quiet again and again is reminded to be louder.

Chants continue, as Portland Protesters are seemingly taking it easy tonight.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) September 4, 2020

Protesters are standing on the sidewalk holding reflective panels in response to the Portland Police search lights. It has been peaceful tonight aside from a few water bottles thrown. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/mkyZmOJ1qY
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

Someone just briefly went onto the MSCO property, which LRAD earlier warned against (or risk arrest—including journalists)
Some chanting, maybe 150 or so people here #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/LUeMHMcXyc
— Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) September 4, 2020

More plastic water bottles are getting thrown into the driveway. Two streamers stand on the grass past the sidewalk, and a protester standing behind them on the sidewalk sketches their figures with pencil onto a notepad. Two purple-vested clergy witnesses stand nearby.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

LRAD announcement:

Portland Police are threatening the use of impact munitions for protesters “throwing projectiles.” Those projectiles are empty plastic water bottles that were tossed into the parking lot. #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/iAM40N0Wuf
— Shane Burley (@shane_burley1) September 4, 2020

Spray painted outside the sheriffs office pic.twitter.com/GeKys4nlKJ
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

A couple more plastic water bottles have been thrown into the driveway.

Protesters are chanting “Black trans lives matter!”
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

A few protesters are yelling at police, calling them murderers for the killing of Michael Reinoehl and they’re lucky they’re only getting water bottles tonight #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/Ks1adaQLsI
— Beth Nakamura (@bethnakamura) September 4, 2020

“Just tonight they killed our brother Mike” pic.twitter.com/Ozv3GMnYFX
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

“We gotta come together as a community/because cops got qualified immunity” pic.twitter.com/ilNHucC837
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

First arrests of the night:

Police catch every body off guard and run out to make an arrest pic.twitter.com/khS5tSD5B7
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

Portland Police just bullrushed the crowd without warning. They made one targeted arrest. The arrestee was heard saying “I didn’t throw rocks at you”. They retreated after the arrest. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/eeyDG9JeWd
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

A first: Portland police vehicles parked in the driveway have turned off their brights. pic.twitter.com/aCwrnlNA8R
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Attempted car attack:

A car drives through the crowd aggressively pic.twitter.com/3OxE2Tqn6l
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

A small dark car just revved its engine and drove full speed east up Burnside at protesters standing in the street, who screamed and scattered. Some chased after the car trying to catch its license plate number.

“Are you going to do your fucking job?” a protester yells.
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Portland police come on the LRAD: “This is the Portland Police Bureau. As a reminder, East Burnside remains open to vehicular traffic.”

Protesters immediately start yelling over the LRAD. pic.twitter.com/vnYdqb4axi
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Police emerge again:

Portland Police exited the Penumbra Building. Officers could be heard discussing which persons within the crowd to apprehend. They pushed out one block West. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/EPiQGQbvNC
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

PPB suddenly take to the streets and head westbound on Burnside, stopping less than a block away at some parked cars. Someone says to them, “it took you 90 days to figure out how to target people instead of bulldozing everyone around you, you dumb fucks?” #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/94zI7EYldE
— Shauna Sowersby (@Shauna_Sowersby) September 4, 2020

Analysis: the police chief says there aren’t enough officers to staff protests at night(BLM) and then again in the daytime(Trump rallies)

But how many officers to staff at night is a choice PBB makes

E.g. these 20 officers are trying to find illegally parked vehicles right now pic.twitter.com/5OJLi6u6R0
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

PPB officers return from what one protestor describes as “the shittiest parade ever.” Another officer swoops in next to me to confiscate a shield. #PortlandProtest pic.twitter.com/y0U8A1fF2S
— Shauna Sowersby (@Shauna_Sowersby) September 4, 2020

As the group of officers walked back toward the Kelly building, one officer walked into the grass and raised their weapon, pointing it at people standing on the sidewalk. pic.twitter.com/z4JPOwkY39
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

How many officers to assign to night time protest is a choice PBB makes:

The following is a traffic stop, but ostensibly the idea is to ticket the mutual aid vehicles to dissuade them from attending protest pic.twitter.com/Y6w6xPrHw9
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 4, 2020

Portland Police vehicles drove out and intercepted 2 ‘protest mutual-aid’
vehicles. So far, one arrest has been made. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/ijvtj165KO
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

Several motorcycle traffic officers arrived on scene to support Rapid Response Team officers on ground. Those observing disparaged officers for not pursuing the vehicle that drove through the crowd earlier tonight. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/hyAZEUHSbb
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 4, 2020

And here 44 says that because no one was injured by the car earlier there were no victims thus no crime was committed.

Yet a riot squad and several officers were needed to give these 2 support vehicles traffic tickets for illegally parking. pic.twitter.com/rcoU7bQgPE
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) September 4, 2020

A pair of officers walk up to inspect a protester carrying a plastic sword.

“If I were to pull it out and let you feel it, will you gun me down? Will I be arrested for that shit?”

“Absolutely not,” an officer responds. An officer feels the sword and hands it back. pic.twitter.com/ortJTBcmhH
— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 4, 2020

Media

Present

Beth Nakamura (The Oregonian)
Cata Gaitán – CashApp: $catalinagaitan / Venmo: @catalina-gaitan
Jasper Florence – Venmo: JFlorencePDX
Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
Sergio Olmos

Articles

Associated Press

Culture Study

living in someone else’s Portland narrative

The New Republic

The Battle of Portland

The New York Times

OPB

The Olympian

Portland shooting suspect fatally shot by US Marshals task force near Lacey

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies present

Portland Police Bureau
Oregon State Police

Munitions used

N/A

Number of arrests

Two

Charges

Criminal Mischief II
Disorderly Conduct II
Interfering with a Peace Officer
Failure to Display Drivers License

Protests for September 2

Posted on September 3, 2020September 4, 2020 by sal

Summary

The nightly demonstration in Portland began at Woodstock Park. Estimates by journalists on the ground put the numbers there around 100 people. Unfortunately, before a march or any type of event could begin, there was a lot of debate within the group about where the protesters should go. This infighting lasted for almost an hour. Even after consensus was reached, one small group of individuals appeared to continue trying to move everyone to a different location that the whole group hadn’t agreed on. Eventually the crowd split, some went home, others moved to a new location at Alberta Park, and others still, namely many press and legal observers, remained at Woodstock Park.

Those that moved to Alberta Park managed to draw another crowd of about 100 people, who began marching to The Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) north precinct by around 10:30 pm. Once there, protesters chanted and played music in front of the precinct. By 1 am, with no appearance by PPB yet, a crowd that had dwindled down to about 20 people, and many press members leaving the area, it looked like the night was ready to end. However at around 1:30 am, PPB made their first appearance of the night to clear some barricades that had been put in the road. Soon after they also made arrests of a few members of the very small group of protesters. By 2 am the night ended without any further incident.

Scheduled Events

Pioneer Square Nonviolent Protest – 6 pm
Kate Brownshirts out of Portland! – 8 pm

Timeline

Protesters gathered at Woodstock Park for the nightly demonstration.

Hi there, I’m at Woodstock Park with a small but growing group of protesters. Let’s see what tonight has in store#PortlandProtest #PortlandRiots #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter #PoliceViolence #ACAB
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

Maybe 100 people here now, more coming all the time. I have a brief conversation with @hungrybowtie about soup. As you do

Strains of “Guillotine” by the Coup on the breeze
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

The group appeared to struggle to come to consensus about what the night’s demonstration would look like.

A debate about tonight’s action ensues. It’s unclear what’s going to happen tonight, and I’ll refrain from commenting until the protest figures it out and does it
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

A very clear consensus emerges. Two people from the Portland Protest Bureau do everything in their power to overturn this consensus. “The people of color are going to _____!!”

I’m not sure the only people of color here are the ones involved with the Portland Protest Bureau
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

One journalist had a succinct question for the night’s demonstration:

What the actual fuck is happening tonight
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

Even after consensus was reached, a small group of organizers appeared to continue arguing about the plan.

“We’ve made a decision! We’re going to [non-consensus location]! If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to! We’re anarchists, were autonomous!!”

I’m sorry, I laughed for like 2 minutes, really loud, please forgive me

This is a shit show
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

I’m trying to cover the protests in Portland tonight. But people have been arguing in Woodstock Park where to go for the past 45 minutes.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

People voted to go to a specific location and a few folks trying to “lead” and “facilitate” continue to ignore the vote result and complain that people “can’t reach a consensus.”
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

Some protesters decided on changing the location of the demonstration to Alberta Park.

Ok. Ok. So basically the crowd has split. A lot of people have left for home. Others have left for Alberta Park. Most people are still here, chilling and bitching

The night has fallen apart completely
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

Location change: Alberta park
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

A number of press members decided that they would not be covering the night’s protest after all.

Update: the press corp has decided to order pizza and chill in this park, yes really
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

A group of press is now ordering food to be delivered. I will most likely not be covering protests tonight and instead be eating pizza.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

The protesters that broke off from Woodstock Park began the protest of the night around 10:30 pm in North Portland.

Here: #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/loi7SwYGx9
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

Nothing is happening. Unclear if the group will even march anywhere. Lots of people frustrated with organizers. People are just standing around in small groups at the park talking. That’s it.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

Portland protest day 97 pic.twitter.com/2ly8wYBDwf
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 3, 2020

Protestors moving towards Portland police north precinct pic.twitter.com/nN0wmVpeLs
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 3, 2020

About 100 protestors at 11pm on night 97 “I don’t get no sleep because y’all, you don’t get no sleep because of me” pic.twitter.com/c7b6lRjoac
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 3, 2020

At about 11:15 pm, protesters arrived at The Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) North Precinct.

Protestors arriving to north precinct pic.twitter.com/bZRKrBxgfF
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 3, 2020

We hath arrived at the north precinct. DJ LRAD IS ALREADY MAD *sound on* #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/bRtbE3DzOc
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

Traffic around North Precinct is now under citizen control.

Police have announced an illegal assembly and have eyes on the roof.

The Portland Protest Bureau kids are not doing a great job leading these chants. pic.twitter.com/7YDQuKDs9l
— The Editor ?? (@MacSmiff) September 3, 2020

Some press members that had previously decided to remain at Woodstock Park eventually made their way to the North Precinct.

After much thought, we have decided to attempt to actually do our jobs

I am now approaching the North Precinct, where chants of ACAB are already reaching my ears
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

Between 100 and 150 people. Not a lot of bloc, not a lot of shields. Lot of well-meaning people without armor chanting at the police

Three silent squad cars shine lights on the protest pic.twitter.com/HVnDjfkCqM
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

“Fuck Ted Wheeler! Fuck Kate Brown!” chants break out and people seem to be into it.
— The Editor ?? (@MacSmiff) September 3, 2020

A group called Portland Protest Bureau, who had urged protesters to move to Alberta Park back at Woodstock Park earlier in the night, spoke to a mainstream media journalist near the protest site.

So it looks like controversial Portland Protest Bureau people have an interview set up with people from Vice, which could be why they were so insistent on moving the protest to North Precinct tonight. pic.twitter.com/sIPrBh1GUH
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

And out of FUCKING NOWHERE, the LRAD reminds everyone that the road they’re hanging out on is closed and anyone who sets foot on it will be subject to crowd control munitions etc

This is the world’s lamest block party and they’re still trying to cause problems
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

Two protestors walked onto police property, police LRAD gives use of warning tear gas/impact munitions pic.twitter.com/fqZhZm9Uu8
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 3, 2020

The crowd moves up a little to the police cars. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx #Portland #Oregon #BLM #PortlandProtest #pdxprotest #portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/3z4Ucd4IDB
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

Protester telling the fence cop that when they don’t show up things are fine and not as violent. He responded saying that Revolution hall days were great marches and those Black Lives Matter protests were “fantastic” pic.twitter.com/LWt53mBZQy
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

This officers thoughts on Brent Taylor (#12) and excessive force pic.twitter.com/ldJ9NXWKJQ
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

After finishing with their interview, members of Portland Protest Bureau left the demonstration.

After wanting really hard for everyone to come to the North Precinct, Portland Protest Bureau people/Black Unity have left the protest, right after their CNN interview finished.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020

In other news, now that their interview is complete, the Portland Protest Bureau has left the approximately 50 remaining protesters to face down the police alone

DJ LRAD has been silent since his little announcement earlier
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020

We did a lap around the precinct and came suck to over half the crowd gone… I think many were uncomfortable and annoyed. Some people who lead the march dipped after interviews
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

Crowd is under 40 people. A brave few hold the line.

I’m getting outta here. pic.twitter.com/SvQp21u9O6
— The Editor ?? (@MacSmiff) September 3, 2020

Well it’s come to that time of the night when there are more press than protesters and most people are dispersing……seems tonight was actually peaceful (coincidental that portland protest bureau was leading tonight’s actions?)
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

I’m out for the night, as are most of the crowd. A group of 20 or so remains. Interesting, weird, and slightly disappointing night, though I DID find a new protest crush, so not all is lost. See you all for night 100! #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) September 3, 2020

Cops came out to clear the babycades pic.twitter.com/nMWNYuMG5Q
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

Far-right public figure Brandon Farley, seen below, made an appearance at the demonstration.

pic.twitter.com/sd8ELBU2K4
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

Ppb just moved in on a riot van and made two arrests even though after medics and press there are less than 20 protesters here
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

They had retreated it they just came back in for one single arrest pic.twitter.com/lg6ZGbeLBZ
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) September 3, 2020

A note on The Portland Protest Bureau’s interview:

Finishing note, the CNN reporter (previously Vice) messaged me saying that there was no previous communication with anyone from Black Unity/Portland Protest Bureau.
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@hungrybowtie) September 3, 2020