Summary
Today would have been George Floyd’s 47th Birthday. The community celebrated by gathering at Revolution Hall where they listened to black artists and black speakers, including George Floyd’s cousin. The demonstration ended around 9:30 pm with George Floyd’s cousin releasing the balloons that were on the memorial to George into the air as the crowd chanted his name. Happy Birthday, George.
When the celebration concluded, some protesters moved to the Red House on Mississippi, where the Black-Indigenous family facing eviction welcomes the community to come and camp out and use the plot as a gathering space. Others turned their attention to the ICE facility. A small group of protesters made their way there, where a mix of state and federal officers were waiting behind the gates of the building. Between the small number of protesters and small number of officers though, the two groups didn’t confront each other throughout the night and by midnight the demonstration there ended as well.
Scheduled Events
- Eviction Blockade 101 at the Red House on Mississippi – 6:30 pm
- Happy Birthday George Floyd – 8 pm
Timeline
Community members gather at Revolution Hall for a celebration for a change. Tonight they hold a memorial for what would have been George Floyd’s 47th birthday.
Hello! Im currently at revolution hall, things are still getting set up it looks like!@ShieldPDX is out here habding out umbrellas and sanitizer, and thwres a snack and med table!
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) October 15, 2020
I was also given a sticker! pic.twitter.com/g5GVm9s5wY
There’s a ton of news crews here, i can see at least three in my immediate view
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) October 15, 2020
I’m here at Revolution hall in PDX to celebrate George Floyd’s birthday. So far around 100 have gathered & a stage has been set up.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
My very friendly & adorable dog Banjoe is also with me – feel free to say hi and give him pats if you see us! #GeorgeFloyd #BLM #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/tU635oUvc2
Another snack table being set up! There is also music going currently pic.twitter.com/CUFnX8u4CJ
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) October 15, 2020
Hi there, I am at the George Floyd memorial at Revolution Hall, where things are about to get underway. Maybe 150 people here
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
George Floyd would have been 47 years old today pic.twitter.com/mQax5LCToQ
This is, hopefully, gonna be a real mellow tweet thread about speeches and performances
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
I’m wearing regular clothes instead of a flak vest and kakhis. My dog is here. It feels nice
Hanging out with @JFlorencePDX as the night gets underway
George Floyd’s portrait is projected on the side of Revolution Hall. The event kicks off at 7pm with a prayer and song #GeorgeFloyd #BLM pic.twitter.com/tl6I0iT08T
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
The event opens with a prayer from a Black opera singer whose name I mjssed. An acknowledgement that the road is hard but a hope that we will see victory and triumph. For a people united
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He then sings a beautiful rendition of the Black National Anthem (sound on) pic.twitter.com/z0ugWepy5J
A Black activist speaks on the loss of George Floyd
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
“He was silenced. So we’re not going to be silent! We’re going to make a bunch of noise for him!”
The crowd screams “Happy Birthday George Floyd” on the count of 3
Another activist steps forward and expresses outrage that Derick Chauvin is out on bail
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
They remind us that we’ve been out here for 138 days, which is a mind-boggling number
It’s surely hard to find words for this moment. The tragedy of it, the thing that galvanized a nation. But George Floyd wasn’t a catalyst or an event or a name in a history book, but a man. He had children and family and a future
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
After chants of “George Floyd” and “Get your knee off my neck,”
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 15, 2020
“Mr. Floyd we got you now and we got you forever. All power to the people.” pic.twitter.com/xy2263Ondu
Next, a rapper named Jordan steps to the stage to perform
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He reminds us of the importance of celebrating George Floyd’s life–it doesn’t just have to be sad
But we also have to hold people accountable
He does a quick freestyle while people deal with technical difficulties pic.twitter.com/NQRL2mr9uK
As the audio continues to glitch out, the rapper reminds us that the Red House still needs people for the ongoing anti-eviction afford down there
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
The audio finally starts working and holy shit it's worth the wait. Normally I'd post a clip but y'all are getting the whole thing and you should listen to it. I have to split it in two, here's
part 1 pic.twitter.com/jAomcuBCJE— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020Part 2: pic.twitter.com/VmpKnhfqe4
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
Crowd sings Happy Birthday to George Floyd. Then there is a break for cake. pic.twitter.com/HxFlkwOYmc
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 15, 2020
Protesters take a break for cake and then continue with the birthday celebration.
She talks about the need for community. How we have to help each other while we’re alive
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
“You’ve got to remember that he was a PERSON. This is not a picture of a random black man! He was there for his community. His community will not forget about him”
Snack mamas is here too! They have fresh fried and grilled chicken!
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) October 15, 2020
(Its very delicious)
The snack tables now have pizza too! pic.twitter.com/guUX8D1zoN
He talks about how low-income white indentured servants formed community with Black slaves at the start
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
How the rich landowners saw this as a threat
In 1705, the Virginia slave codes made all Black people slaves and set white indentured servants free
How the slave patrols that began in this period eventually became the modern police system we suffer under today
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
“it’s gonna take us continuously coming out here. Putting pressure on it. Trying to topple it. Like the statues”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
Cheers
“Fuck Bitchtopher Columbus! Fuck Abraham Lincoln! Fuck all those presidents! They all have blood on their hands”
She talks about how her brother was murdered in Detroit at 17. How police treated it like “just another murder in the hood” and never even looked into it
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
How he made some bad friends to try to provide for their mom, who raised 6 kids on her own
The crowd says her brother’s name: Sherif White
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
Demetria leads the crowd in a chant of “Fuck the Police”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
She reminds us that the police not only kill our community members, but tell us it’s our fault. Talks about the wounds these things inflict on the community
He tells us George Floyd turnt it up at all times. Loved to have a good time. That we’re gonna honor his memory by doing the same tonight
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He expresses disappointment that more people aren’t out here, but how good it feels to know how much his cousin matters to the people here
“Big Floyd was about the struggle! He didn’t have no options, like all the Black men in America!”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He talks about the daily struggle. bout not having the option for fear
He talks about alliance: about how aligning oneself with a movement involves listening
Sound on for Elmo song pic.twitter.com/VqgX6PPJSv
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
Fists in the air
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
“Total abolition means TOTAL abolition,” Floyd’s cousin says
“Every system Must. Come. Down”
“we must cry out to let the systems of our oppressors know that we will live, and we will not die!”
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He talks about Jesus’ promise of abundant living. “A social justice warrior. Black Jesus! Can I say that?”
The crowd affirms that he can
He closes with a prayer asking God to watch over the movement, to sustain it and show the right path. For those involved to stand strong. For unity
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
The crowd applauds
Happy Birthday, George Floyd.
The organizers present George Floyd’s cousin with the balloons from the memorial
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
He releases them. As they float into the heavens, the crowd chants George Floyd’s name pic.twitter.com/Y2T8846ST9
After the conclusion of the birthday party, some community members move to different locations: The Red House on Mississippi or the ICE facility.
The party will continue at the Red House, but this extremely cold reporter is going home to have hot toddies and either video games or reading, depending on how virtuous I feel
— Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) (@1misanthrophile) October 15, 2020
Rest in Power, George Floyd ✊
Solidarity with everyone still out here
I’m back at the PDX ICE facility for the second night, it’s still early – but in contrast to last night, there are absolutely no officers in sight ?#PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/bEifszed8Q
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
Awww @protestsound came out ?
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
Ps no cops in sight except one rooftop cop hiding behind the spotlights #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/g6hqBVbAqR
Officers establish a presence within the front gate of the building, but do not confront the small group of protesters outside.
A few more riot cops come out to escort some vehicles into the ICE facility #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
The coppers seem pretty lackadaisical tonight pic.twitter.com/PZpRTaylIJ
DHS are out #PortlandProtests #ICEFacility pic.twitter.com/r9eiSFbrBb
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
So far I’ve spotted PPB, DHS & US Marshal behind the gates of the ICE facility tonight. There is an ok crowd size, but there is definitely no DA going on. Cops are relaxin, chillin all cool…#PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/X7U0EPfuyI
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
So US Marshal came out and turned on the giant tear gas gun to ‘test it’ behind the gate – but nothing came out, we could just hear the motors – then casually left it next to this post apparently unmanned. Silly optics if I ever saw it #Portlandprotests pic.twitter.com/fTDPZ5davF
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
Not a lot happening except officers occasionally coming out of the gate fully armed to escort private vehicals (?) out the ICE gate #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/NYcUqCpiEv
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 15, 2020
Media
Present
- Jasper Florence – Venmo: JFlorencePDX
- Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile) – CashApp/Venmo: misanthrophile / PayPal: askmisanthrophile@gmail.com
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Suzette Smith
Articles
The Oregonian
- Ammon Bundy and allies build dangerous network of militia members, report says
- City of Portland lawyers won’t defend auditor in legal appeals of mayor’s campaign violations, City Council says
- Video reconstructs law enforcement’s fatal shooting of Portland fugitive Michael Reinoehl
OPB
Portland Mercury
- Good Afternoon, News: Local NAACP President Accused of Sexual Assault, Barrett the Artful Dodger, and Barr’s Conspiracy Theory Flops
- Good Morning, News: The Sketchy Police Shooting of Michael Reinoehl, Barrett “Unashamedly” Anti-Abortion, and Boycott Trump’s Town Hall!
- In Bad Faith (CW for religious and sexual abuse)
Willamette Week
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau
- Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Marshals
Munitions
None
Arrests
None
Charges
None