Day: September 25, 2020

No in-person events are happening today, due to the far-right Proud Boys rally expected in North Portland tomorrow. Instead many groups are taking the time to prepare for counter-protests and other support.

Media

Articles

Associated Press

• Portland, Oregon, braces itself for large right-wing rally 
• Oregon governor sends state police to Portland for protests

The Intercept

How the Protests Upended Portland’s Mayoral Race

The New York Times

• At Pentagon, Fears Grow That Trump Will Pull Military Into Election Unrest
• Portland Prepares for Violent Showdowns, Proud Boys and Tear Gas

OPB

• As Portland braces for more protest violence, progressive activists and police agree on who is to blame
• Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declares emergency in Portland as Proud Boys rally approaches

The Oregonian

• Some Portland police officers to be deputized as federal officers for Saturday’s Proud Boy rally, counter-protests
• Counter-protesters, photojournalist file battery, assault lawsuit against alleged Proud Boys affiliates
• Oregon State Police, Sheriff’s Office to command police response as Proud Boys come to Portland

Portland Mercury

Gov. Brown Puts State Troopers, Sheriff’s Office in Charge of Policing Proud Boy Rally

Willamette Week

• Fifteen Elected Democratic Leaders Warn Right-Wing Visitors to Behave Tomorrow. GOP Leaders Seek a Balance.
• In Million-Dollar Lawsuit, Plaintiffs Say Proud Boys Injured Them With Paintballs and Bear Mace
• Gov. Kate Brown Invokes Emergency Powers to Confront Planned Saturday Right-Wing Rally

Summary

On Thursday morning, protesters gathered downtown at City Hall for the weekly Justice for Patrick Kimmons event. Patrick’s mother, Letha Winston, led the group in chants.

Thursday evening, about 100 direct action protesters gathered at Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland to march to the Portland Police Association building. Activists stood outside the building giving speeches until an unlawful assembly was declared at about 10:30 PM, after a small fire was set outside the building. Riot police then cleared the group away from the building, making several arrests. Police left after inspecting the building, then returned for more arrests. At about 12:30 AM police left again and the protest thinned out, eventually ending around 1 AM.

Scheduled Events

• Justice for Patrick Kimmons – 10 AM at City Hall
• Arbor Lodge Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

Downtown this morning at the weekly Justice for Patrick Kimmons event:

No justice no peace ✊🏿✊🏽✊🏼Portland City Hall “you know why we are here” #PatrickKimmons #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/sUt6g1aMGs

— ↙↙↙PDX Interfaith Clergy Resistance (@PDXICR) September 24, 2020

“ no 45 year old should be standing on the sidewalk where her son was shot nine times in the back. By police.” #patrickkimmons #sayhisname pic.twitter.com/Azr6OCt6u8

— ↙↙↙PDX Interfaith Clergy Resistance (@ravarielstone) September 24, 2020

A small group has gathered at Arbor Lodge in North Portland for the direct action march:

I’m at Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland covering tonight’s Direct Action march calling for police and prison abolition.

About 20 people are currently gathered in the park and a medic tent is set up offering free face masks, eye wipes, snacks, earplugs and other supplies. pic.twitter.com/0PPM1rWHNu

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

The crowd at Arbor Lodge Park has grown to about ~40 people, mostly spread out in the grass and chatting in small groups. (The sound of tiny squeaking pig toys is ~inescapable.~ ?)

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

An activist leads the crowd in a chant of “Black Lives Matter.” Things are probably about to get underway

The crowd is still worryingly small

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

A speaker addresses the crowd on a megaphone:

“The police are rioting again, and they’re federalized again … They’re the biggest gang on the planet other than the people. The people, if you look throughout history, we are bigger than them. We outnumber them.“ (1/2)

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

“Righteousness will prevail. It will get worse first. We know from experience. We can study how they move. We know it will get worse first. So thank you guys for your service.” (2/2)

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

Arbor Lodge Park

Somebody rambling on the mic under a cloudy moon. Not many people here. There’s almost as many press and motorcade as protesters. pic.twitter.com/NkK0TmMMC0

— Proud Dad ?? (@MacSmiff) September 25, 2020

The crowd has left Arbor Lodge Park and is marching east, chanting “Say her name! Breonna Taylor!” and “Say his name! George Floyd!”

Neighborhood residents are watching the crowd pass by from their windows and front lawns.

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

The protest has arrived at the Portland Police Association (PPA), our local police union

Maybe 100 people here are this point

No sign of the cops

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

DJ LRAD says:

“This is the Portland Police bureau. We are aware of your criminal activity occurring. Do not throw rocks at the building. Do not try to light fires. Do not try to break windows”

None of these things have happened tonight. We JUST got here

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

There’s a speaker at PPA talking about how the revolution is being white washed by both so-called leaders who condemn violent action, and those who blame radical action on a white fringe element. pic.twitter.com/pbotSVeAh5

— Proud Dad ?? (@MacSmiff) September 25, 2020

Cops just claimed people are throwing rocks at windows

Um, guys?

Guys?

W H A T
W I N D O W S pic.twitter.com/fi2B6t9C3W

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Protesters are giving speeches outside the PPA building:

Another activist gets up and talks about division and peace policing

“Our enemies are the cops…there’s no bad protesters in a revolution!”

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

“Black women are the most disrespected group on the planet!” She talks about how hard yesterday was, how awful it was

Mariah is a photographer. You can and should follow her at @MariahMacaronio

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Mariah is giving a speech on the importance of prioritising & protecting black women. It has been a calm night so far with speeches, chants, & bubbles in front of the PPA building. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/k6bnAfxpXP

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 25, 2020

@MariahMacaronio asked white passing ppl to stay off the mic, thanked people for showing up, disparaged those who only come out when it’s trending and… pic.twitter.com/o2txASp64K

— Proud Dad ?? (@MacSmiff) September 25, 2020

Ivory, a Portland activist, addresses the crowd:

“Yesterday I felt shit on my stomach and shit on my chest that I’ve never felt before. Hearing the chant ‘no justice, no peace’ — that shit’s been ringing in my head…” pic.twitter.com/omgnlGDgSr

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

DJ LRAD repeats his oddly specific announcement from a little while ago

To be fair, someone tried and failed to set an awning on fire between my last post and this one, and someone took a hammer to the plywood over the windows without any effext

The building remains unharmed

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Portland Police has just warned the crowd not to damage the PPA building. PPB: “We are aware of illegal activities…” #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/aPjfeCMVAy

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 25, 2020

Unlawful assembly declared at 10:27 PM:

Portland police have declared an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to move north.

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

Cops just gave a dispersal warning over this.

Here they come. pic.twitter.com/T9Fx7cEblh

— Proud Dad ?? (@MacSmiff) September 25, 2020

Unlawful assembly declared. Cop cars approaching from multiple directions We have been told to disperse to the North

You can see in this video that the PPA building is fine pic.twitter.com/Hl7yeFG4U3

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Cops make multiple arrests, it’s unclear what for

Their gas masks are very much on pic.twitter.com/tMz2y5ZA1U

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Riot line being held at ppa pic.twitter.com/5gYqDgt8qz

— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) September 25, 2020

Portland police officers and vehicles with their lights on line the intersection of N. Denver Ave. and Lombard St.

A protester walked in front of them and set down a single box of soup. pic.twitter.com/2kBbXsLq0e

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

Portland Police riot officers approached from 3 different directions. At least 2 arrests have been made. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/K9NDRNWO6y

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 25, 2020

The vans leave. The cops remain pic.twitter.com/J45SHAMZBQ

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Just a gang of chuds with badges, taking pictures of graffiti and burn marks with a 30 man detail. pic.twitter.com/0QuVZ6gag6

— Proud Dad ?? (@MacSmiff) September 25, 2020

Anyway, they’ve left: circled around the PPA and vanished. Again, the streets are empty of everything but protesters and music and bubbles

They’re real good at the lightning warfare out here at the PPA. They’ll probably charge again at some point

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Here is the damage from that hammer I talked about earlier

~10 people arrested for this pic.twitter.com/kxQGSyz0Nn

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

After a few minutes of staring across the street at protesters, the dozens of officers marched away (some climbing onto the sides of white vans and driving east).

A driver pulled up and told a protester they saw multiple police vehicles waiting a few blocks south of PPA.

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

And there it is: a second charge without warning. Appears to be an actual targeted arrest, though of course they fuck up anyone who gets in their way pic.twitter.com/6KYJnma40s

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Riot vans drove up from both east and west on Lombard and officers began chasing protesters north up N. Denver Ave. pic.twitter.com/8ENRrsGgmn

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

They make their arrest, get back on their vans, and leave. Again the streets are chill pic.twitter.com/c9nPZnR6hs

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Portland Police asked via the individuals on the roof to come down & “meet with officers”. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/aSHC3GQ3Vg

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 25, 2020

The police emerge immediately

“To the individuals on the roof: safely climb down and meet with the officers below” pic.twitter.com/2ucNcXKXDO

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Police are back and just arrested two people suspected of climbing to the roof of the PPA building #Portland pic.twitter.com/YueAMzdA8u

— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) September 25, 2020

A fake retreat! The moment I go to tweet they charge and make more arrests

In this clip, a cop expresses frustration at how heavy his gear is. Must be hard to have all that protective gear. Lots of people out here would give anything for that kind of armor pic.twitter.com/D602NfqvKM

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Portland Police executed another bullrush just as they were leaving. 4 arrests were made. One arrestee yelled that he is a Marine Corps veteran as he was taken into custody. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/gOFDwSB4Iw

— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) September 25, 2020

The police are still just standing there which is unfortunate because I feel like if they left I would go home and so would a lot of other people@JFlorencePDX points out the cops don’t have gas masks on anymore so I take mine off too

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Somone just walked across the street and ppb arrested them

— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) September 25, 2020

When they were walking away, officers abruptly turned around and began chasing after and arresting protesters. pic.twitter.com/HZDouK0BqO

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

The police FINALLY LEAVE pic.twitter.com/SfhDIT4d1G

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

Crowds thinned a decent amount, mostly nlg and press left

— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) September 25, 2020

Epilogue: there have been some rumors about riot cops waiting back at Arbor Lodge park and I can say with certainty that as of now this is not the case

— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) September 25, 2020

A small group remains outside of Heavenly Donuts listening to music, but the majority of folks have left the area. Signing off for the night with this photo of flowers lining the sidewalk outside of PPA. Night! ✌? pic.twitter.com/IJokgPU1nQ

— Cata Gaitán (@catalinagaitan_) September 25, 2020

Media

Present

• Cata Gaitán – CashApp: $catalinagaitan / Venmo: @catalina-gaitan
• Jasper Florence – Venmo: JFlorencePDX
• Justin Yau @PDocumentarians  – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend 
• Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) – CashApp/Venmo: misanthrophile / PayPal: askmisanthrophile@gmail.com
• Mac Smiff – CashApp: $MacSmiff

Articles

OPB

• Portland police plan large number of officers for dueling Saturday rallies
• Wildfire evacuation conditions for Oregon prisoners criticized as ‘inhumane’

The Oregonian

• Portland protests: Prosecutors decline attempted murder charge against Molotov cocktail suspect 
• Portland police say they’ll work to keep Proud Boys, counter-protesters apart during rallies Saturday
• Protesters, police face off Thursday in North Portland after person sets brief fire; 14 arrested

Portland Mercury

Activists Counter a Planned Proud Boy Rally with “Black Joy Weekend”

Willamette Week

• Ahead of Saturday’s Proud Boys Rally, 30 Local Unions and Civil Rights Groups Call on Oregon Officials to Denounce Hatred
• How Does Portland Pull Out of Its Spiral of Political Bloodshed?

Police

Agencies present

• Portland Police Bureau

Munitions used

Number of arrests

Fourteen

Charges

• Disorderly Conduct II
• Interfering with a Peace Officer 
• Arson II
• Trespass II