Summary
Across the country today, Women’s Marches took place in many major cities. Some specifically focused on opposing the possible appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In Portland, the march and rally were led by BIPOC community members in support of Black Lives Matter. Hundreds of protesters marched a small route around the downtown area and listened to speakers at Terry Shrunk Plaza before and after the march.
In the evening, protesters gathered at Willamette Park in Southwest Portland. There, organizers passed out silver star balloons, which all had harrowing accounts of experiences in ICE custody taped onto them. Protesters brought these balloons to the ICE facility with the intent of tying them onto the front gate of the building and around the area. Unfortunately, as protesters arrived and began tying the balloons, federal officers immediately came out of the building and dispersed protesters with pepper balls. For several hours federal agents pushed protesters out of the area, retreated, then re-emerged several times to deploy impact munitions and tear gas. This push and pull of officers and protesters moving up and down Moody Ave. continued for the entire night, until the confrontations ended around 2 am.
Scheduled Events
- Meditation with Radical BIPOC at the Red House on Mississippi – 11 am
- PDX Women’s March – 11 am
- Screen Printing at the Red House on Mississippi – 2 pm
- PDX CAR Caravan Protest – 2 pm
- Justice Hip-Hop Benefit Show – 6 pm
- Solidarity March Honoring Those Who Have Died in ICE Custody – 6:30 pm
Timeline
Women’s March
A BIPOC-led Women’s March begins downtown at 11 am, one of many Women’s Marches that have taken place today across the country.
Happening now in Downtown: PDX Women's Unity March for Justice. This years’s event and March are hosted and led by BIPOC Women.@KGWNews pic.twitter.com/hi0UJB7dal
— Christelle Koumoué (@ChristelleK_TV) October 17, 2020
Portland Women's March is about to happen. My legs are fine, but the shoulder still isn't so I won't stream the March. #WomensMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/CetUfRld2a
— Miss Scarlet Tanager (@MissScarletTana) October 17, 2020
Heading passed the Injustice Center now #PortlandProtests #WomensMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/RVHsOaO5zU
— Miss Scarlet Tanager (@MissScarletTana) October 17, 2020
Protest llama returns! I missed this, y'all. In other news, I really need a damn lidocaine patch for my rotator cuff injury now >< #portlandprotest #WomensMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/GnWPiEluiA
— Miss Scarlet Tanager (@MissScarletTana) October 17, 2020
So many people showing up. Hope some more get galvanized to attend night events, too. #WomensMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/v0hCz3W1lp
— Miss Scarlet Tanager (@MissScarletTana) October 17, 2020
Well that was… short. My shoulder was thankful, but we only marched around the JC area, now sitting back down at Terry Shrunk. #PortlandProtests #portlandprotest #WomensMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/buMrwwRMwN
— Miss Scarlet Tanager (@MissScarletTana) October 17, 2020
Solidarity March – ICE
The evening demonstration will take place at ICE to honor everyone that has died in ICE custody.
Just got to Willamette Park. Crowd is still small but growing. pic.twitter.com/9YkCuuzh5G
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
A drone is spotted above the protest.
Drone but not ours. pic.twitter.com/WoJP4KWI6S
— Cozca Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) October 18, 2020
@KohzKah now on the mic saying how thankful she is for clean water and shelter and how she just wants that for everyone.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
"Everyone agrees family is good! And that's all we want is our families to stay together!" – @KohzKah
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
Made it to Wilamette park and listening to @KohzKah speak some real truths. She demands the government be held accountable for the problems they caused in Central and South America that forced families to seek refuge here. #PortlandProtest #PdxProtest #SafePdx
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
There are hundreds of these balloons distributed to protesters with facts about ICE and the atrocities committed by the U.S government. The plan is to decorate the building and neighborhood with them. #PortlandProtest #PdxProtest #SafePdx pic.twitter.com/e3SyYSXL4F
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
Protesters begin marching around 8:35 pm.
Protesters march to the #Portland @ICEgov building carrying golden balloons. Each balloon has a fact or anecdote about the treatment of refugees and immigrants written on it.
— Maranie R. Staab (@MaranieRae) October 18, 2020
8:35 PM#portlandprotests #pdx pic.twitter.com/Fh02BUCqwP
"No Borders!"
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
"No Nations!"
"NO FAMILY SEPARATIONS!"
"FUCK ICE FUCK ICE FUCK ICE!"
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
"WHAT ABOUT OUR RIGHTS?!"
As we approach ICE the crowd chants
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
"No good cops! No good presidents!"
"Give the land back to it's original residents!"
Protesters have just arrived at the ICE detention facility. They moved to tie balloons on the gate. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WVzOXicsko
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
Minutes after protesters arrive at the ICE facility, Homeland Security (DHS) officers emerge from the building and disperse the group with mace.
DHS agents just exited the building. They moved in to disperse protesters with pepper spray as they were placing balloons in the gate. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WGixdvpWsZ
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
Just got to ICE and they are already out.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
This was right before the mace cloud drifted into my eyes. pic.twitter.com/3gjK6Qtrv3
DHS agents push protesters further away from the ICE facility.
DHS agents pushed out of the building with a volley of Pepperball munitions. Some fired less lethal munitions at a close range at protesters trapped against a fence. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/7Iiyg4ulK4
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
I got shot numerous times in the same leg and location as last time. pic.twitter.com/GOKfX3zfO8
— Cozca Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) October 18, 2020
DHS has pushed Protesters down the street after the Protesters already started moving back.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
A small group of DHS officers exited the building, firing pepper bullets. They pushed protesters north and tried to kettle them with a group of DHS officers who were hiding in an ally. pic.twitter.com/Bl38XPzlOI
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 18, 2020
DHS continued pushing Protesters down Moody even though no Unlawful assembly has been called. I personally have not seen any arrests yet just some force being used to intimidate Protesters. pic.twitter.com/prjZVjVNaP
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
Just before 9:25 pm, DHS agents retreat after pushing protesters a few blocks.
ICE is now retreating & someone in the nearby apartment keeps on throwing glass at protestors
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
There’s a familiar feeling as DHS moves back. They’ll be back out pretty soon. pic.twitter.com/8pZ3oD0Q2u
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 18, 2020
Around 9:40 pm, DHS agents re-emerge and bullrush protesters.
DHS came out and shot some tear gas off and lit a neighbors bush on fire in their second (?) Push of the night. pic.twitter.com/cpOcVfVz94
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
Federal agents exited the building again. This time they deployed tear gas & flashbangs, while firing Pepperball munitions. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CzyeFlrkTR
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
Another rush pic.twitter.com/UonTpGWIE2
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
Federal officers executed several bullrushes, pushing crowds back several blocks from the ICE detention facility. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xVJJ2NG92W
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
A retreat, and another push. A very Fox-News-flannel-wearing camera dude was shot a lot by the Feds as we stood on the sidewalk. He was shouting, “I’m a journalist!” but guess he didn’t know that the Feds don’t have to play nice w press. #PortlandProtest #PdxProtest #BLMPortland
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
Portland protest day 126 pic.twitter.com/d2dS1ROJ9D
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 18, 2020
DHS officers re-enter the ICE building around 9:55 pm.
When DHS re-emerges they fire tear gas and chase protesters north again before withdrawing back inside the ICE building. pic.twitter.com/OUx2tWuOdY
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 18, 2020
Enjoying watching officers come out every time another electric scooter is thrown on the ground in front of the gate. #PortlandProtest #PdxProtest #SafePdx pic.twitter.com/jSpC4bZln7
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
Around 10:20 pm, federal officers emerge from the ICE facility for a third time.
#ACAB pic.twitter.com/v7SOZlNnk2
— Cozca Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) October 18, 2020
They keep coming out and are now standing in a square perimeter near their building, but not around it. The violent balloons that started this off are blocking the garage doors. Surprised they haven’t been shot at yet! #PdxProtest #PortlandProtest #Safepdx #blmportland pic.twitter.com/fIZe5IyTM7
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
ICE Agents tried to run a protestor down pic.twitter.com/H8CKg9lZyK
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
One ICE Agent told a protestor “This is war”
— Janusz (Lopaka) Malo (@Lopaka_Shaka) October 18, 2020
— Cozca Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) October 18, 2020
While retreating back into the ICE facility, a tear gas canister appears to detonate accidentally.
A DHS agent attempts to throw a tear gas canister only to have a slight mishap. pic.twitter.com/uKNYn0tFKk
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 18, 2020
LISTEN TO ME! This fed had a tear gas canister go off in their backpack!!! Then, as they try to kick it away, it hits their feet a bunch. This was a great moment to capture. #PortlandProtest #PdxProtest #BLMPortland #Portland pic.twitter.com/Slsn6bZK96
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 18, 2020
The tear gas pesticide gun makes a return:
The tear gas pesticide gun is fired up #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/2N2klXl1UD
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 18, 2020
After deploying a lot of tear gas, up and down SW Moody—and accidentally gassing the courtyard of their own building— federal officers brought out this smoke… gun… pic.twitter.com/5kn4Gj8WDH
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 18, 2020
Feds uses smoke/gas blower in neighborhood pic.twitter.com/2qwEQqNNQO
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 18, 2020
Space age pesticide tear gas gun up close #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 18, 2020
(It seemingly ran out of tear gas and officers retreated back behind ICE gates) pic.twitter.com/4Gy1V3DxYa
A targeted arrest happens at ICE facility. The person detained pleads with multiple officers not to kneel on them & clearly states they have Tourettes and autism. The officers do not acknowledge or react. They are taken away & we can hear their shrieks behind the gates.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 18, 2020
Dodgeball night at ICE. Not much of a game but tons of injuries. I’m out of SW Portland. Goodnight. pic.twitter.com/eoYUPDxYn7
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 18, 2020
Media
Present
- Christelle Koumoué (KGW)
- Cozca @KohzKah – CashApp: $cozca
- Gabby @PDXGabs
- Jacob Hanning & Melissa Lewis @Cascadianphotog – Cashapp: $cascadianphotog / Venmo: cascadianphotog / paypal.me/Cascadianphotog
- Janusz Malo @Lopaka_Shaka – Venmo: janusz-malo
- Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Scarlet Tanager @MissScarletTana
- Sergio Olmos (OPB)
- Suzette Smith
Articles
AP News
KGW
OPB
- A community activist challenges Portland’s incumbent mayor amid protests, COVID-19 and a racial reckoning
- Are paramilitary extremists being normalized? Look to Idaho for answers
- Portland Police Bureau officers to wear 3-digit numbers as identifiers during protests
The Oregonian
- Bill Maher weighs in on Portland protesters toppling Lincoln statue, Ted Wheeler, and says ‘Portlandia’ ‘got it right’
- Conservative rally in San Francisco falls apart after surge by counterprotest
- Lloyd Stevenson’s death shocked Portland; 35 years later, his family still struggles with what happened
- Police costs to cover Portland protests near $9 million, including more than $6 million in OT (Subscriber Exclusive)
- Seattle sees record number of police leave department in 2020
Portland Mercury
Police
Agencies Present
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
- U.S. Marshals
Munitions
- mace
- pepper balls
- tear gas
Space age pesticide tear gas gun up close #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 18, 2020
(It seemingly ran out of tear gas and officers retreated back behind ICE gates) pic.twitter.com/4Gy1V3DxYa
Arrests
No information
Charges
No information