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
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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
Strains of “Guillotine” by the Coup on the breeze
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 _____!!”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
I’m not sure the only people of color here are the ones involved with the Portland Protest Bureau
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!!”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
I’m sorry, I laughed for like 2 minutes, really loud, please forgive me
This is a shit show
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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
The night has fallen apart completely
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.
— The Editor ?? (@MacSmiff) September 3, 2020
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
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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
I am now approaching the North Precinct, where chants of ACAB are already reaching my ears
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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
Three silent squad cars shine lights on the protest pic.twitter.com/HVnDjfkCqM
“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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
This is the world’s lamest block party and they’re still trying to cause problems
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
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 3, 2020
DJ LRAD has been silent since his little announcement earlier
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.
— The Editor ?? (@MacSmiff) September 3, 2020
I’m getting outta here. pic.twitter.com/SvQp21u9O6
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.
— 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
Media
Present
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) – CashApp/Venmo: misanthrophile
- Mac Smiff – CashApp: $MacSmiff
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Sergio Olmos
Articles
The Columbian
Portland chief: Violent protests come ‘at increased cost’
The Daily Beast
Oregon’s ‘Unified’ Plan to End Portland Unrest Isn’t Unified at All
KGW
OSP troopers have been deputized by the federal government. Here’s what that means
KOIN
Court date pushed back for Portland protest assault suspect
The New York Times
Trump Moves to Cut Federal Funding From Democratic Cities
OPB
‘Failed system … failed leadership’: 3 resign from Portland’s police oversight board in 24 hours
Injured protest medic waited for medical treatment after being tackled, punched by Portland police
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler finds himself politically squeezed by months of protests
The Oregonian
Medics must comply with lawful police orders to disperse during protests, judge rules
Oregon State Police deputized by feds; unclear how many will assist with Portland protests
Trump orders review of federal funding to Portland, other ‘anarchist’ cities
Portland Mercury
Willamette Week
Federal Prosecutors Say Portland Man Rammed His SUV Into Car of Uniformed Officers on Interstate 84
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau
Munitions
None
Arrests
Charges
Disorderly Conduct II, Interfering with a Peace Officer