Summary
Portland had quite the busy evening today. Three separate events took place, the first being the vigil for Walter Wallace Jr., a 27 year old black man who was murdered by Philadelphia Police during a mental health crisis call yesterday. The vigil began at 7 pm and ended around 8:45 pm, during which protesters gathered around the Justice Center downtown and listened to black speakers and placed candles on the steps of the building for Walter.
After the vigil ended protesters split into two locations for two different demonstrations – one at the North Precinct and the other starting at Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland. The demonstration at the north precinct was relatively brief. Protesters arrived at the precinct around 10 pm to the sight of squad car headlights shining out of the driveway of the building, illuminating protesters. By 10:45 pm a journalist just arriving on the scene reported that the group was no longer there, indicating that the demonstration had seemingly ended by then.
The other demonstration began at Arbor Lodge Park. Protesters marched silently through the residential area around the park until they reached their destination – City Commissioner Dan Ryan’s home. Once there, they chanted outside urging Dan to vote to lower PPB’s budget tomorrow. The chanting past 11 pm prompted the appearance of Dan Ryan and his partner on their front lawn, where they ended up standing for around an hour listening to protesters speak about their experiences with police brutality during the protests. However, Dan Ryan refused to offer a formal statement on how he will vote at the budget meeting on October 28th, but did exchange contact information with some protesters who wished the continue the dialogue.
All 3 demonstrations began and ended without police interference besides some verbal commands over loudspeakers.
Scheduled Events
- Solidarity with Philadelphia – 7 pm
- March to Defund PPB – 10 pm
Timeline
A vigil is being held downtown for Walter Wallace Jr., who was shot and killed by Philadelphia police yesterday.
Just arrived at the vigil for Walter Wallace Jr. How many memorials have we had at the injustice center in these five months? pic.twitter.com/KntdgOGoOG
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
Candles cover the IJC steps and the wind is low enough that they stay lit. pic.twitter.com/zDdX3sw2jS
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
I have to move closer to hear Demetria for the first time ever, because despite the megaphone she is consumed with tears. Her heart is broken. No spongebob hat will inspire a smile tonight. pic.twitter.com/UHLNlqxKbs
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
A song was sung (identity please) pic.twitter.com/K497AvDrZz
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
Just got to the Justice Center, I could hear the crowd chanting “Walter Wallace” from a few blocks away. ?
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
Say his name: Walter Wallace pic.twitter.com/LJMLxeofwG
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
Candlelight vigil for Walter Wallace #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/CDeZT4BHo5
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 28, 2020
Powerful speeches from the Justice Center steps Tonight. pic.twitter.com/l6FxmnS9CS
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
As the vigil comes to an end, some community members head to different locations for the night. Rest in Power, Walter Wallace Jr.
The vigil is starting to wind down as the crowd slowly leaves the area.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
I am currently on my way to a second location and will update accordingly.
North Precinct
Second location #1: The North Precinct.
With the frontline drumline in the lead, crowds are marching from King School Park. #portlandprotest #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WkMSHPau2G
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 28, 2020
Crowds have just arrived at the North Precinct in North Portland. Portland Police vehicles are staged and waiting. #portlandprotest #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/8gFuzRPK4t
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 28, 2020
A group of 40-50 protesters chanting “Walter Wallace!” are blocking MLK Blvd, in the Northbound lane, in front of the North Portland Police Precinct. Walter Wallace Jr. was shot by Philadelphia police on Monday. He was 27-years-old. pic.twitter.com/d9LL5tn0gy
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 28, 2020
Demetria Hester is on ground leading chants in front of the North Precinct building. #portlandprotest #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/qgCwyT8o9i
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 28, 2020
Portland Police are parked on NE Emerson and shining their headlights on the small group of protesters. pic.twitter.com/hFTtilHkOC
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) October 28, 2020
By 10:45 pm, the demonstration appears to have ended.
When you arrive at the n precinct and there isn’t a protest but there are cops taping up the Boys + Girls club. Guess I’ll check back in later!
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 28, 2020
Video ID: shows a riot cop facing the doors of the Boys and Girls club as the camera pans left, showing caution tape and another cop pic.twitter.com/a8TWsF9tXZ
Arbor Lodge Park
Second location #2: Arbor Lodge Park.
Just got to Arbor Lodge, small group still. Call was to meet at 10.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
residential area. Group is still silent.
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) October 28, 2020
The group is currently walking down the sidewalk and the Lrad has already made an appearance. pic.twitter.com/CBEikTP6l2
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
Protesters arrive at city commissioner Dan Ryan’s house and begin chanting outside.
About 40 protestors are outside commissioner Dan Ryan’s house chanting “defund PPB” pic.twitter.com/0GCz9TtlOh
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
“Dan Ryan Don’t be a Villain!”
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
“DEFUND BY 18 MILLION!”
Dan Ryan agrees to engage in a dialogue with protesters.
Commissioner Dan Ryan will come out to speak with protestors pic.twitter.com/7mkM4YHBxv
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
The commissioner and protestors are both requesting that no cameras be out
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
The commissioner is listening to protestors talk about their experience with police brutality
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
Everyone has sat. A black man has encouraged Dan to tell his position, but he asked for more examples from BIPOC.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
Commissioner Ryan is holding space for activists to share their stories about police brutality and other thoughts about the vote taking place tomorrow. Protesters are here because Ryan is still undecided on how he will vote
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) October 28, 2020
Commissioner Dan Ryan on defunding PPB “I haven’t made up my mind yet, it’s complicated, I’m not going to do it at 11:30 at night when I’m half asleep”
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
Protestor “do you typically make up your mind the day of the vote?”
Protestors to commissioner “when you say your tired, do you know what’s like to get shot at by Feds? Do you know the PTSD we have?”
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
Update: @PortlandDan said he would listen for 20 mins because he’s “tired”. He gets skewed by black protesters in the crowd who say they have been tired for 400 years. Dan is now holding space and says he wants to listen & hear from BIPOC voices. @tuesdaylongway speaking now.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 28, 2020
Dan Ryan remains incredibly wary of answering questions. Says he can’t answer half asleep and while on camera, as it’s invasive.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
When @tuesdaylongway spoke of being brutalized, Dan Ryan’s husband became upset and tried to compare his own trauma.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) October 28, 2020
Protestor: “Raise your hand if you’ve been doxxed” about 30% of hands go up
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
“And yet our cops are wearing numbers, and we’re getting doxxed every night”
Dan says he’s almost done listening because it’s been more than 20 mins and he’s concerned we are disrupting his ‘elderly neighbors’.
— Peter (@gravemorgan) October 28, 2020
Black protesters respond by saying “we are literally dying at the hands of the PPB on the streets – your neighbors can be disturbed”.
Protester: “what makes you so undecided, what keeps you from cutting the budget?”
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
Commissioner: “I can’t answer the question tonight, I need to talk to my colleagues”
Protester: “when you see a child drowning, do you need to talk to your colleagues to make a decision?”
“The cops keep blowing up my phone and keep telling them I got this, but how long will this take?” the commissioner threatening the cops while also trying to virtual signal that he’s different than the other folks who would call them on sight. ?? #DefundthePolice #PdxProtest
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 28, 2020
Protester to commissioner Ryan “aye, you on signal?”
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 28, 2020
Commissioner has said he will never forget tonight but the thing is… it’s not what about *he* remembers… THE PEOPLE will not forget tonight that Dan Ryan had nothing to say on whether or not he will vote tmrw to defund the police.
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) October 28, 2020
Dan and his partner have stood outside in the cold for about an hour and listened to the stories of local BIPOC Protesters and their experience with the PPB. He has thanked everyone for sharing their stories but has repeatedly stated he is still undecided on tomorrow’s vote.
— Cascadianphotog Media (@Cascadianphotog) October 28, 2020
Media
Present
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Gabby @PDXGabs
- Jacob Hanning & Melissa Lewis @Cascadianphotog – Cashapp: $cascadianphotog / Venmo: cascadianphotog / paypal.me/Cascadianphotog
- Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Melissa “Claudio” Lewis – Cashapp: $ClaudioReport / Venmo: Claudio_Report
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Sergio Olmos (OPB)
- Suzette Smith
Articles
Buzzfeed News
The Guardian
The Intercept
KGW
- Months after slashing $15 million from Portland police budget, council to consider millions more
- Portland demonstrators hold vigil for Black man killed by police in Philidelphia
The Marshall Project
The Oregonian
- Confederate flag no longer allowed in Oregon historic cemeteries
- COVID-19 is 10 times higher in Oregon prisons than in rest of state, stoking widespread fear among inmates (Subscriber Exclusive)
- Election Day violence fears: Gun sales up, businesses board windows
- Family of Black man killed by Philadelphia cops say they called for ambulance, not police
- Protesters gather for vigil in Portland after police kill Black man in Philadelphia
- PSU unable to meet goal of transitioning to unarmed campus police officers this fall
Portland Mercury
Vice
Willamette Week
Police
Agencies Present
None
Munitions
None
Arrests
None
Charges
None