Summary
Note: The next day there have been reports of possible COVID exposure at the PDX Mutual Aid Share Fair event and Abolish I.C.E! protest in Portland on this date. If you were at either event please consider self-quarantining and getting tested if possible for the safety of others.
Two protests took place in and around the Portland area today, the first of which was a Vigil for Kevin Peterson Jr. in Vancouver, Washington. This event was organized by Kevin’s family and, anticipating a right-wing presence, they urged attendees to not engage with ill-acting counter-protesters at Kevin’s memorial. After listening to speeches by black community members, the demonstration marched through the streets of Vancouver, passing groups of right-wing counter-protesters along the way but not engaging with them. The demonstration marched to the location where police killed Carlos Hunter last year, where they stopped for speeches and then marched back to their starting point. Both ways of the march were met with small pockets of right-wing groups, but attendees were successful at outright ignoring individuals in those groups and the demonstration ended peacefully.
The second protest was an Abolish I.C.E demonstration at their facility in Southwest Portland. This demonstration drew around 25-30 people after it was announced on social media hours before it began. Nearly 1/3 of the crowd was arrested last night after some protesters tagged the federal building and Homeland Security declared the gathering a riot. Multiple ambulances were seen entering and leaving the grounds of the facility after arrests were made. With numbers dwindling, the demonstration ended around midnight.
Scheduled Events
- PDX Mutual Aid Share Fair – Noon
- Vigil & Peaceful March for Justice for Kevin Peterson Jr. – 1 pm
- Abolish I.C.E! – 8 pm
Timeline
A demonstration demanding justice for Kevin Peterson Jr., which was organized by his family, begins at 1.
Here at the US Bank in Hazel Dell, WA where family and community members ate beginning to gather for a vigil in remembrance of Kevin Peterson Jr. who was killed by Clark County Sheriff's deputies on October 29th of this year. pic.twitter.com/Nw5Hhmy9P2
— Sean Bascom (@baaascom) December 6, 2020
Today’s rally (at the US Bank where he was shot) has attracted about 300 folks so far. I’ve seen at least three rifles, carried by folks in Black bloc. Interesting juxtaposition with families with young kids here who’ve brought flowers and signs.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
I’ve in Vancouver for the vigil & march for Kevin Peterson Jr. Many beautiful signs are posted up surrounded by flowers and candles as the vigil is restored after it’s been continuously destroyed by hateful RW’ers. pic.twitter.com/V4i1gIz9Cu
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 6, 2020
One journalist speaks to the mother of a friend of Kevin Peterson Jr.
“That could of been my son,” she says. “It’s hard enough being the single mother of a biracial boy in this town, to think this could happen to him….”
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
A lot of Kevin’s family is here with homemade sweatshirts: pic.twitter.com/9IGgtztKib
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
A group of right-wing counter-protesters have been spotted in the area.
Found the chuds, there’s a group of 20 or so up the block at the 99 saloon
— Peter (@gravemorgan) December 6, 2020
A right wing group has gathered a few blocks away. This event is surrounded by volunteer security guards keeping their eye out for unwelcome agitators.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
Protesters listen to speeches by community members.
@MacSmiff starting things off pic.twitter.com/v2aKTSvofd
— Sean Bascom (@baaascom) December 6, 2020
@norfjordan speaks and performs pic.twitter.com/jveUsMm4mg
— Sean Bascom (@baaascom) December 6, 2020
“Cops lie, people die.” – @Jahdi_ speaking at the march in Vancouver about the way police initially claimed Kevin Peterson Jr shot first but later they proved his pistol was never fired. #PdxProtest #PortlandProtest #BLMProtest #KevinPetersonJr pic.twitter.com/1jDHUW3fha
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 6, 2020
“Abolition does not mean an absence of safety. It means coming up with non-cop solutions. We are going to defund the police and then abolish them.” – @Jahdi_ at the Kevin Peterson Jr march in Washington.
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 6, 2020
There is a gathering on memory of Kevin Peterson in Hazel Dell WA. Peterson was shot and killed by law enforcement officers in here. A small number of counter-protesters have also gather some blocks away. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/KbPjWEOZTd
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 6, 2020
The group begins preparing to march around 2:15 pm.
After several speeches, the group is mobilizing to march.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
The march is preparing to take off. The speaker is reminding the crowd we are here for Kevin Peterson Jr. and not to engage with right wing aggressors
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 6, 2020
At about 2:25 pm the demonstration begins their march.
March begins, heading out of the parking lot: pic.twitter.com/bancyJIjA2
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
This crowd is big! 400 maybe? pic.twitter.com/WIycMN50k5
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
The march heads out, Black Lives Matter chants echo through the streets. The crowd passes a group of armed counter-protesters sporting ‘back the blue’ and Trump flags, but does not engage. pic.twitter.com/wTA0ndSxiG
— Peter (@gravemorgan) December 6, 2020
The demonstration passes a group of right-wing counter-protesters.
Successfully marching past this group of people protesting the memorial march: pic.twitter.com/kEd2d46AUo
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
Counter protesters to the march for Kevin Peterson Jr pic.twitter.com/juvgmTGqEm
— Peter (@gravemorgan) December 6, 2020
Vibe check: pic.twitter.com/rKItPpMd2V
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
Slowly uphill pic.twitter.com/Kbuz844Ugl
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 6, 2020
Every public lot the march has passed thus far has extremists in full gear ready to intervene
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 6, 2020
This is an American division of the French yellow vest movement. It also bears the BLM power fist. pic.twitter.com/yqtlbQY1nB
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 6, 2020
We’ve snaked through a mobile home park, where residents came out and waved (and some glared, told group to leave). Now at Grover Electric & Plumbing supply parking lot on NE 78th and NE 18th.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
An armed resident patrols their driveway as the march passes by pic.twitter.com/R9ixVp8eca
— Peter (@gravemorgan) December 6, 2020
A disgruntled neighbor comes out to scold the march. The speaker reminds her that we are not here for her, we are here for Kevin Peterson.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 6, 2020
Protesters stop to listen to speeches at the site where police killed Carlos Hunter last year.
Turns out this empty culdesac is where Carlos Hunter was killed by police last year: https://t.co/nw9Yi1DUiM
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
The march stops for a moment for speeches. A Black femme reminds the audience Black Lives Matter’s effort and energy is dwindling, and Kevin Peterson JE’s life didn’t matter any less. That just because we settled for Biden we cannot let up.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 6, 2020
The march has come to a stop. The crowd are listening to speeches. Speaker Laila Deweese laments the slowing momentum of the protests & the lack of change since the movement began this Summer. #BlackLivesMatter #Vancouverprotest #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/bT7JvPG17G
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 6, 2020
“The cops in Vancouver have 18 weeks of training. In Oregon it’s 16 weeks. How come it takes 6-8 years to learn the law but a couple months to protect?” – Black speaker named Truth addressing the crowd at the Kevin Peterson Jr march. #PdxProtest #PortlandProtest #KevinPetersonJr
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 6, 2020
Mal from Frontline Drumline speaking on abolition vs reform pic.twitter.com/sUBtQq7vLW
— Sean Bascom (@baaascom) December 7, 2020
The group is now marching back to the starting spot.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 6, 2020
The march is still 200+ strong: pic.twitter.com/prRix4ROG5
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 7, 2020
The #KevinPetersonJr vigil crowd marched back through Hazel Dell to the starting point with speeches and music leading the way. The crowd was energized by the small break. #BlackLivesMatter #Vancouverprotest #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/ewUcMxazDG
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
The demonstration once again passes a group of right-wing counter-protesters.
Oh, these guys are still here, protesting? pic.twitter.com/suFWNsx5hf
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 7, 2020
A line of folks stand between this group and the march, turning their backs to them. Seems like an effective way to get a message across.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 7, 2020
Another tense moment as crowds marched back close to counter-protesters. The lead speaker asked crowds to ignore them as they marched past. The encounter ended without incident or injuries. #BlackLivesMatter #Vancouverprotest #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/4GvvryVFTm
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
The demonstration arrives at the U.S. Bank parking lot where Kevin Peterson Jr. was killed, where they started.
Vigil attendees have arrived back at the starting point of the march. There are speeches, closing statements, & live indigenous music. #BlackLivesMatter #Vancouverprotest #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/cE5Msunb1D
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
The march has ended but not after there were some amazing speeches by Kevin Peterson Senior (KP Jr’s father), Mac Smiff, and others. Going to try to caption them before I post, but this was a beautiful note to end on. #PdxProtest #PortlandProtest #BLMProtest #KevinPetersonJr pic.twitter.com/QD4iblPajP
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 7, 2020
In the evening, a demonstration in front of the ICE facility begins and is immediately met by federal officers.
There is a small gathering in front of the ICE detention facility in SW Portland. This is an "Abolish ICE" protest. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter #ICE pic.twitter.com/z2C9bPj4T2
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
Things popped off right away at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in SW Portland tonight in response to tagging and chants. Two arrests. pic.twitter.com/095bp6U9Ga
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
DHS agents have rushed out and have taken at least 2 into custody. They did so in response to graffiti sprayed on federal property. This was likely a targeted arrest operation. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter #ICE pic.twitter.com/jtefRMUlTJ
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
ICE officers rushed the protest crowd again, this time arresting a protester wearing red “medic” crosses. This brings the arrests up to three. pic.twitter.com/9dSaAZDSei
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
The riot announcement directly followed this arrest. I believe this is the fourth. pic.twitter.com/1qwSnHqAUh
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
Just after 10:10 pm, Homeland Security declares the gathering a riot.
The Federal Protective Service has declared a riot. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
There was an ambulance that entered the facility. It seemed to leave without a patient. Right before the ambulance departed, nine federal police cars pulled in. pic.twitter.com/E9b6jDsNOm
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
Another ambulance went into the ICE facility and officers came out and arrested a protester. They had to chase them through the neighborhood. They’re up to seven arrests, so far. Considering there were only around thirty people to start with, that’s almost a third of the crowd. pic.twitter.com/AuRhpTaP3B
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
When the officers ran into the neighborhood some were separated from the group. This protester was yelling at these officers and apparently didn’t back up far enough. Shove time. pic.twitter.com/Z2LrRQXfAv
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
Of the 20-25 protesters that gathered tonight. Federal Protective Service agents arrest at least 7 protesters; close to 30% of the crowd. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter #ICE pic.twitter.com/ASfWm362o1
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) December 7, 2020
By around midnight, after several arrests, the night ends.
Protest tapered off since there were only about 18 protesters left. I’m out of SW Portland.
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) December 7, 2020
Media
Present
- Alex Zielinski (Portland Mercury)
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Gabby @PDXGabs
- Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Melissa “Claudio” Lewis – Cashapp: $ClaudioReport / Venmo: Claudio_Report
- Sean Bascom – CashApp: $Baaascom / Venmo: @Sean-Bascom
- Suzette Smith
Articles
Portland Mercury
Hundreds Join Family of Kevin Peterson Jr. in Memorial March
Police
Agencies Present
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
Munitions
None
Arrests
No information from Homeland Security.
7 arrests reported by journalists on the ground.
Charges
No information as of Noon 12/7