Protests for October 11

Posted on by sal

Summary

During the day a right-wing Back the Blue Rally took place downtown. Estimates put the number of attendees of this rally around 50-60 people. During the rally, attendees ransacked a houseless camp at Chapman Park next to where they were demonstrating, graffitied buildings and at least one statue, and deployed pepper balls and mace against the comparatively small group of counter-protesters that had come to oppose the event. By the end of the demonstration, right-wing protesters retreated to a parking garage and eventually left from there in their cars while escorted by police.

More importantly, today is Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage. Accordingly, an indigenous-led march was slated for the evening. This event called strictly for no cameras to be recording and absolutely no live-streaming. At sunset, protesters gathered under the Burnside Bridge and then marched downtown, the end location of which was not disclosed. Journalists on the ground reported that the group moved with deliberate energy and purpose, and despite numbering around 300 people were able to stay together effectively. Within a few minutes of reaching the South Park Blocks downtown, protesters were able to topple two statues, one of Theodore Roosevelt and later one of Abraham Lincoln. Soon after, an unlawful assembly was called and then quickly upgraded to a riot and the crowd dispersed. Some of the group were followed and pushed by Portland Police by the waterfront, but for such an eventful night, very few arrests were made. The demonstration ended by about 10:30 pm, although Portland Police harassed and arrested a member of one of the snack vans a little bit later.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A Back the Blue Rally began early in the day downtown, at some point during which attendees begin harassing a houseless encampment in the area.

Content Warning: c- slur used in the video below.

The group of protesters move back towards Chapman Square after briefly standing at the site of Aaron Danielson’s death.

As right-wing protesters leave in their cars, they are escorted by Portland Police officers.

By around 4:20 pm, attendees of the Back the Blue rally leave the area and counter-protesters focus their efforts on aiding the houseless encampment that was attacked by rally-goers.

In the evening, a demonstration honoring Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage begins at sunset. Indigenous organizers have said that cameras and live-streaming will not be permitted at this event.

The demonstration departs from their meeting place under the Burnside Bridge just before 8 pm and begins marching to an undisclosed location.

At 8:30 pm, Portland Police began making announcements to the moving crowd.

Protesters take down a statue of Theodore Roosevelt located in the Park Blocks downtown.

Minutes later another statue comes down – this time of Abraham Lincoln.

The Oregon Historical Society and Museum sustained some damaged.

At around 9:35 pm Portland Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Minutes later the declaration updates to a riot.

A group of protesters that had splintered from the main demonstration are pushed by Portland Police at the waterfront.

Protesters disperse quickly after the initial push.

By 10:30 pm most protesters have cleared the area.

Media

Present

Articles

KGW

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Sunday Night Riot, Vandalism of Oregon Historical Society Met With Widespread Condemnation, Criminal Charges

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

3

Charges

Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Reckless Endangering, Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Riot, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public

Protests for October 10

Posted on by sal

Summary

Tonight’s protest lasted 15 minutes.

The location of the nightly march wasn’t publicly announced beforehand. Regardless, protesters gathered in the evening at Peninsula Park in North Portland. At approximately 10:00 pm, they arrived at the North Precinct to the sounds of the Portland Police loudspeakers already warning against blocking the street. At approximately 10:15 pm, Portland Police officers ran at protesters from behind where they stood in front of the precinct driveway and arrested at least half of the group, in effect ending the protest. There was no declaration of unlawful assembly and no dispersal orders before the mass arrest.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Early in the day the Nightmare Elk, which has been the longest running replacement for the Elk Statue downtown, was taken from its plinth by members of Patriot Prayer, a local far-right group.

As protesters arrive at the North Precinct for the nightly demonstration, Portland Police (PPB) have already begun making announcements to the crowd.

Around 10:15 pm, protesters are suddenly arrested en masse by police. There has been no declaration of an unlawful assembly at this point.

The small protest lasted for about 15 minutes before the mass arrest.

Media

Present

Articles

Buzzfeed News

Deadline

The Intercept

KGW

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

Mace

Arrests

26

Charges

Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Attempted Escape in the Third Degree 

Protests for October 9

Posted on by audrey

Scheduled Events

  • Stop the Violence: Community Gathering in Memory of Jaelin Scott – 2 PM at Peninsula Park
  • Justice for Jonathan Price – 6 PM at Pioneer Square

Timeline

Starting this afternoon at Peninsula Park:

At Pioneer Square:

Media

Present

Articles

Courthouse News

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Agents Can’t Target Journalists at Portland Protests

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

The City’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention Objects to How Sarah Iannarone Described It

Police

Agencies present

N/A

Munitions used

N/A

Number of arrests

N/A

Charges

N/A

Protests for October 8

Posted on by audrey

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Media

Present

Articles

Eater Portland

A Portland Protester Is Now Making ‘Tear Gas Ted’s Hot Sauce,’ in Reference to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler

The Guardian

Portland: officers targeted medics with teargas and projectiles, report finds

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Human Rights Group Finds Portland Police Violated UN Guidelines During Protests

Portland Tribune

Feds to Portland: We’re not paying courthouse fence fines

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies present

N/A

Munitions used

N/A

Number of arrests

N/A

Charges

N/A

Protests for October 7

Posted on by sal

Summary

Two events took place during the day in Portland. The first, beginning at 11 am, was a BeautyBloc event providing beauty and grooming services to the community. Services included haircuts, nail painting, and MendingBloc, who provides clothe-mending services to the community, was also present. Coinciding with this event was a march led by Letha Winston, mother of Patrick Kimmons, at noon. This march usually takes place downtown, as it is a weekly event, but this time Letha led protesters to the Portland Police north precinct, where they listened to her speak.

In the evening, in lieu of a march, protesters were invited to gather at the Red House on Mississippi Ave. in north Portland. The Kinney family, who has lived in the house for decades, is fighting eviction and are receiving community support to occupy the house. At least one member of the family spoke to the crowd, as well as other black community members.

All-in-all it was a day of protests and self-care that went unimpeded by law enforcement intervention.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gather near the Portland Police north precinct around noon, where a demonstration led by Letha Winston will be held.

In North Portland, a BeautyBloc event offering beauty and grooming services to the community is taking place.

The demonstration in the evening takes place at the Red House, where the Kinney family is fighting an eviction with support from the community.

Media

Present

Articles

The Appeal

CNN

The Hill

KOIN

NBC News

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 6

Posted on by sal

Summary

The nightly demonstration for October 6th took place at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Southwest Portland. Before marching to the facility, protesters gathered at Elizabeth Caruthers Park nearby. At around 9:45 pm protesters departed from the park and began making the short march to the ICE building. Once there, they were immediately met with federal officers standing behind the front gate of the building, which was closed. Not long after protesters arrived, an unlawful assembly was declared by federal officers, and they announced a warning that protesters had two minutes to vacate the area. Those two minutes passed and then was followed by another 40 minutes of inaction by federal officers until a protester threw a smoke bomb onto the roof of the facility. Officers responded in kind by coming out of the ICE building and filling the street with smoke and tear gas, inadvertently also flooding neighboring apartment buildings with smoke.

After being pushed out several blocks by federal officers, protesters made their way back to the ICE building and were immediately met by federal officers again, who by this point outnumbered protesters. Federal officers, after an extended stand-off with protesters, once again pushed protesters out of the area and, in a seemingly coordinated effort, Portland Police officers suddenly appeared from the back and arrested protesters. After this second push, a small group of around 10 protesters made their way back to the ICE building. A few protesters were detained upon their return, and afterwards police retreated for the night. By 1:45 am, numbers had dwindled significantly and the night ended.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

In the evening, protesters gather at Elizabeth Caruthers Park.

At about 9:45 pm, protesters leave the park and begin marching.

Just after 9:50 pm, protesters arrive at the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

At about 9:57 pm, federal officers declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 10:55 pm, federal officers emerge from the ICE building and push protesters out of the area.

Around 11:05 pm, federal officers retreat back to the ICE building.

Around 11:10 pm, Portland Police arrive to the scene.

Protesters, who were pushed out several blocks by heavy tear gas, begin making their way back to the ICE facility.

Federal officers reemerge minutes after protesters arrive back at the ICE facility.

At a neighboring apartment building:

Portland Police suddenly appear and begin making arrests.

A local resident comes out to speak to protesters and police.

While their speaker was confiscated, the “sound person” SoundBloc was not arrested after all.

Around 12:30 am, Portland Police depart after making multiple arrests.

Media

Present

Articles

Al Jazeera

The Columbian

CNN

The Intercept

KGW

KOIN

The Nation

NBC News

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

The Texas Tribune

Vice

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services
  • Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations
  • U.S. Marshals
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • flash bangs
  • tear gas
  • smoke grenades
  • pepper balls

Arrests

4

Charges

Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct 
1 Citation: Unlawful Sound Amplification 

Protests for October 5

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Monday, protesters marched from Director Park in downtown Portland in memory of Jonathan Price, who was killed by a police officer in Texas on October 3rd. The march, led by a drumline, paused for speeches in front of the Justice Center before continuing to Portland State University where students were encouraged to come out and join the protest. The night ended around 2 AM with no police interactions.

Scheduled Events

  • Director Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

The new Multnomah County courthouse opened today:

Media

Present

Articles

OPB

Portland pulls officers from federal deputations, but legal questions swirl

The Oregonian

PSU Vanguard

Remembering Patrick Kimmons

Police

Agencies present

N/A

Munitions used

N/A

Number of arrests

N/A

Charges

N/A

Protests for October 4

Posted on by sal

Summary

Portland had a busy day of protests on October 4th. Around noon, a right-wing 2nd Amendment rally began downtown. Estimates by journalists on the ground placed the number of attendees of this rally around 30 people at most. But if there’s a right-wing rally in town, there will always be leftist counter-protesters present as well. Some rally attendees came open carrying, while others had mace on their belts. Over the course of the event, small clashes happened between right-wing protesters and left-wing counterprotesters, most of them verbal but a few physical as well. At least two people were also maced, and a physical fight prompted Portland Police to come in and separate the two groups. By around 5 pm the rally finally wound down and right-wing protesters left the area.

In another part of town, also at noon, a black folx-only demonstration began. There were around 100 – 150 community members in attendance at the Black Existence March. Protesters at this event marched around the neighborhood, and at their starting point and end point of the march stopped to listen to speakers and musical performances. The march began and ended peacefully, without any interference from the police, and attendees were able to revel in a cultivated safe black-only space.

In the afternoon, a self-care art event at Holladay Park took place in North Portland. Attendees were given art supplies, including chalk, as a medium to create art while performing self-care and community bonding. This event wasn’t a protest, but more of a chance for community members to come together and decompress between protests.

In the evening, a direct action march began at the waterfront park downtown. The destination of this march wasn’t announced ahead of time, but by the time the small group of around 50 protesters began marching Portland Police were already on the scene announcing to protesters that vandalism of the new courthouse building would not be tolerated. Just before 10:10 pm, the group arrived at the new courthouse and was immediately met by a small line of officers in riot gear. However protesters did not stay there long, and soon marched to the Justice Center, where they also remained briefly before marching on to City Hall. Once there, protesters seemed to relax somewhat before a passing van carrying riot officers got folx on their feet again. Some vandalism occurred on the City Hall building at some point after protesters arrived.

After the first pass-by from riot officers, members of the group of protesters suggested they practice linking their arms together in order to remain tight as a group and prevent mass arrests. Immediately after protesters finished practicing this maneuver, riot officers once again appeared and began attempting to pull protesters out of the linked group to arrest. While it was not perfect, protesters linking together and not moving proved to be fairly effective in preventing arrests. While some individuals were pulled forcefully out of the group and arrested, protesters were able to prevent officers from performing a mass arrest, and they eventually left with only a few individuals that they were able to detain. By 12:30 am, the group had dwindled to around 10 individuals, and the night ended quietly without any further interactions with police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A rally organized by right-wing protesters begins around noon.

2A Rally

A group of counter-protesters arrives to confront the right wing protesters.

A small scuffle breaks out and is quickly de-escalated by counter-protesters.

Portland Police arrives but does not immediately confront the dueling protests.

Some of the right-wing protesters depart from the area, leaving the rest of the group of protesters behind.

Portland Police officers come and separate protesters and counter-protesters.

Black Existence March

In a different area of the city, a black-led rally and march begins around noon.

Just after 2 pm, protesters begin marching.

Self Care Event

In the afternoon, a self care event begins at Holladay Park around 6 pm.

Direct Action March

In the evening, a direct action march begins at Tom McCall Waterfront park around 9 pm.

Around 9:50 pm, the group begins marching out of the park.

The group of protesters leave the new courthouse and soon arrive at the Justice Center nearby.

*CONTENT WARNING*: blood (video below)

Media

Present

Articles

KGW

KOIN

The Oregonian

OPB

Vice News

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

Munitions

  • less lethal impact munitions

Arrests

6

Charges

Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Escape in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree

Protests for October 3

Posted on by sal

Summary

Just south of Portland is Lake Oswego, Oregon, where Black Lives Matter demonstrations have happened sporadically in the last few months. Today, a black youth-led march protested in the streets of the city. Besides a few interactions with the police and some confrontations with restaurant patrons in the area surrounding the protest, the march largely went off without a hitch. Protesters listened to speakers, including Portland local Mac Smiff, after marching and by 6 pm the event ended quietly.

In Portland, a candlelight vigil in honor of those in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was held in the evening. Protesters marched down Waterfront Park to Salmon Street Springs, where they placed candles at a display dedicated to ICE detainees. After staying by the display for about half an hour, the group of protesters marched back up Waterfront Park while chanting. By 9:40 pm, the event ended quietly without any interference by police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in Lake Oswego, Oregon during the day.

In the evening in Portland, protesters gather at the waterfront to attend a vigil for people in custody of ICE.

The demonstration and march ended around 9:35 pm.

Bonus: Dr. Juniper Simonis talks about their work surrounding the environmental impact that law enforcement’s use of crowd control munitions has had in Portland.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

The Root

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 2

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Friday afternoon, a BLM art therapy event at Irving Park in NE Portland was disrupted by an unidentified DHS officer who claimed to be serving a warrant, then chased a person through the park while attendees attempted to block them. They did not make an arrest.

In the evening, protesters gathered in SE Portland at Laurelhurst Park to march to the Penumbra Kelly building on E Burnside, where Multnomah County sheriffs and Portland police are stationed. Before the protest left the park, police made an announcement using a LRAD loudspeaker saying that protesters did not have a permit for their march and must stay on sidewalks. This is similar to statements made at the start of an event in North Portland last week, but this time no police officers attempted to physically intervene.

The march left the park and arrived at the Penumbra Kelly building without interference. Protesters used foil reflectors to shine the bright headlights from police vehicles parked outside back onto the building. Around 10 PM, protesters began marching in what turned out to be a loop around the block, then returned to the front of the building. After some chants, they left and did another loop. Protesters gave speeches about an upcoming ballot measure to fund drug treatment programs, and about how racist systems criminalize Black people to fund themselves. Musicians set up a keyboard and guitars and began a jam session, with freestyle rapping on top. By midnight the protest appeared to be winding down and many people had left.

At about midnight, with no apparent change in the protester’s activities, police came out to address the vehicles that were blocking traffic (to protect the protest from car attacks). Protesters stood in front of a motorcycle officer to block them from getting to one of these support vehicles. One person was hit and dragged by the motorcycle, and another received a head injury. Both needed urgent medical care, which volunteer medics immediately started to help with. Police came out to clear protesters and offer medical aid, interfering with the community medics. Both injured protesters were able to be transported to receive the needed care after this. The protester who was dragged has been arrested but currently remains at a hospital.

Scheduled Events

  • Art Therapy for Black Lives Matter – 1-5 PM at Irving Park
  • Laurelhurst Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

The Art Therapy event this afternoon was interrupted with what appears to be an attempted arrest by DHS officers:

At Laurelhurst Park for tonight’s action:

Led by activist Demetria Hester:

Another loop around the building:

Many protesters and press have left as the night appears to be winding down.

CW for violent arrests, assault, and a vehicle attack in the videos that follow. There are also strobing lights.

Media

Present

Articles

The Guardian

The data scientist exposing US white supremacists: ‘This is how you fight Nazis’

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Portland Cops Will Stay Federally Deputized Through 2020. What Does That Mean for Portland?

Willamette Week

Federal Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea From Portland Man Who Set Fire to County Property During Riot

Police

Agencies present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Federal: unidentified, DHS

Munitions used

  • Pepper balls
  • Pepper spray

Number of arrests

Four

Charges

  • Attempted Assaulting a Public Safety Officer
  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree
  • Harassment