Summary
With most of the protest community occupied at the Red House on Mississippi, Portland Police turned their attention to Laurelhurst Park early in the morning. Residents of the park and community members began fighting a sweep of the houseless encampment when it was first announced a few weeks ago. Protesters were successful at blocking police from doing so initially, but with most people doing community support elsewhere, police came back this morning and cleared the entire camp, displacing all of its residents.
Concurrently, today was the second day of the Red House Eviction Blockade. Protesters and varying groups continue to provide mutual aid within the blockade, and there has yet to be a significant police presence since their initial attempt at evicting the Kinney family (the residents of the Red House) yesterday. Things were relatively calm, besides the area being harassed by aggressive trucks of right-wingers, until about 9:30 pm when two cars drove by and threw explosive devices towards one of the entrances of the barricade. Thankfully, no one was hurt by this attack. Protesters remain at the Red House as it enters its third day of eviction defense.
You can donate to the Kinney family here.
Scheduled Events
Timeline
Laurelhurst Park
Early in the morning police arrive at Laurelhurst Park to clear a houseless encampment.
Come down to laurelhurst.
— C.A.R.E. PDX (@CAREPDX1) December 9, 2020
Bodies needed asap
Campers are being given 30 min to leave. If you can please come down pic.twitter.com/N8R0oGD19B
Down at laurelhurst park where portland police are actively sweeping a houseless camp pic.twitter.com/nSlHTnuJwR
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 9, 2020
They’re tearing apart people’s homes and belongings and trashing them as I type this. pic.twitter.com/dBtX3LCLSA
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 9, 2020
If folks DID want to relocate and move their things and tents, they couldn’t, because the police have it all blocked off and are really limiting their options (they don’t have any..) pic.twitter.com/SnVQGjMw8x
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 9, 2020
By 2:20 pm Laurelhurst Park has been cleared out and all of its residents displaced.
Laurelhurst park is now empty and all the residents have been displaced. It’s freezing cold outside, people are dying of Covid at a rate that’s growing by the day. You should be ashamed, warcrime Wheeler. pic.twitter.com/ciUW5WFIrV
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 9, 2020
The Red House on Mississippi
The eviction blockade at the Red House that began yesterday morning continues.
Protestors are barricading a gentrified neighborhood in north Portland, hoping to repel police and prevent an eviction pic.twitter.com/wKItb1mI9o
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
The barricades are an example of defense in depth. Most entrances have multiple layers of barricades. There are a variety of different options to dissuade vehicle traffic and police advances.
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) December 9, 2020
The quality of construction is quite impressive. It will be an unholy bitch to remove.
The neighborhood is quite sweet and seemed broadly supportive. One man gave up his fence to the barricades. People moved their cars before the barricades went up. When one person got angry, his neighbors came and deescalated him.
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) December 9, 2020
Beautiful Sunrise Ceremony happening right now ?
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 9, 2020
PPB plane circling overhead, inappropriately low. Only visible police presence.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 9, 2020
Organizers of the Red House eviction blockade begin a press conference at 1 pm.
Organizers are beginning a press conference pic.twitter.com/My8vuSpqTc
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
The matriarch of the Kinney family speaks pic.twitter.com/E6FpMX3ff3
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
The youngest son of the Kinney family speaks pic.twitter.com/s7jZbzCVXt
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
The eldest son of the Kinney family speaks pic.twitter.com/uD0cBwt6Iq
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
William X Nietzche, the eldest son, on his message to the mayor pic.twitter.com/engGgruf7Z
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 9, 2020
The press conference wrapped up w/ the eldest Kinney brother who answered questions from the press. When asked about a response to the mayor’s tweet, he said, “We need executive intervention. This has crossed the threshold into crimes against humanity.” #RedHouse #Pdx #Portland
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 9, 2020
Check out journalist Brian Conley’s thread, which begins here, for a much more detailed recounting of the press conference:
The press conference has begun, starting with a condemnation of the enforcement of an eviction during the pandemic.
— Brian Conley (@BaghdadBrian) December 9, 2020
'We refuse to stand by while our elected officials continue to ignore and the police who are sworn to protect us continue to carry out evictions"
One press crew insisted on asking more questions after the conference ended and when folks put their bodies in between the Kinney family, the reporter yelled “don’t touch me”. At that point, people insisted they leave which offended them. #RedHouse #Pdx #Portland pic.twitter.com/Oc2eOEy1yZ
— not too shabby gabby ✨ (@PDXGabs) December 9, 2020
Community members show their support by bringing supplies and neighboring businesses have opened their facilities to protesters.
Albina Press has opened up late night for protesters and activists! They have free black coffee, and all cash tips go to Red House. Neighbors continue to bring PPE, food, and barricade supplies. Not consistent with the terrorism narrative provided by Chuck Lovell.
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 10, 2020
At around 9:35 pm, two vehicles drove by the Red House and individuals inside threw explosives towards protesters. No one was hurt by this attack.
This just happened. After the first IED we were all taking cover when the rest was deployed. One didn’t go off. Lots of security on it. Still shaken as we figure things out will update soon https://t.co/8kD8Cav7rU
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 10, 2020
SOUND WARNING: The footage below contains loud explosions.
Chugs at the Red House driving by and throwing fireworks at the north entrance. Clip from concrete reporting. There's a call for bodies. pic.twitter.com/oaRYfTIUa8
— Griffin – Live Protest News (@GriffinMalone6) December 10, 2020
A mortar, two smoke bombs, and some sort of IED were thrown out of an SUV and a truck heading west on Blandena. I screamed for everyone to hit the pavement. Albina Press swiftly hid inside, cool and calm. Everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/56sjaP26f2
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 10, 2020
Things have calmed over here, security is strong. People are definitely alert but things have moved on. I’m probably hitting my crashing point soon so if nothing comes up I’ll update in the morning! Stay vigilant and stay dangerous ?
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) December 10, 2020
Anti fascist activists use their “stockpiles” of weapons (in this case three asp batons) to roast marshmallows for s’mores pic.twitter.com/3dOhQPupiR
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) December 10, 2020
Media
Present
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Brian Conley @BaghdadBrian – CashApp: $Baghdadbrian / Venmo: baghdadbrian
- Concrete Reporting @ConcreteReports
- Gabby @PDXGabs
- Melissa “Claudio” Lewis – Cashapp: $ClaudioReport / Venmo: Claudio_Report
- Robert Evans
- Sergio Olmos (OPB)
Articles
AfroSapiophile
Al Jazeera
- Federal authorities probe police killing of Black man in Ohio
- Republicans are in no rush to recognise Biden as president-elect
Courthouse News Services
It’s Going Down
Newsweek
NPR
- Casey Goodson Update: Death At Deputy’s Hand Is Ruled A Homicide
- Seattle Police Ruled In Contempt For Firing Less Lethal Weapons At BLM Protesters
OPB
- City directs Portland Police to provide quarterly inventory of weapons arsenal
- Portland agrees to remove 2 officers from public-facing policing duty
- Portland family explains problems that led to foreclosure as protest blockade continues
The Oregonian
- Investigation continues into racist letters weeks after Portland leaders receive them (Subscriber Exclusive)
- Occupation outside N. Portland house continues into Wednesday; no police presence at scene
- Portland’s red house occupation launched spontaneously, but protesters barricade for long haul
- Tourists’ views of Portland turn sharply negative, another blow to hospitality industry
- 2 Portland police officers to be removed from protest duty to avoid potential contempt motion in court
Portland Mercury
- City Council Approves New Reporting Requirements for Military-Style Police Weapons
- Good Afternoon, News: Red House “Copaganda,” Only Half of America Wants Vaccine, and Hell Yeah, Let’s Break Up Facebook!
- Good Morning, News: “Red House” Occupation Continues, Oregon Breaks Death Record (Again), and GOP “Very Worried” About Their “Brand”
- Help Feed Those In Need with These Portland Volunteer Groups
Willamette Week
- Here’s Why Prominent Black Activists Say They Fear Opening Their Mailboxes
- Oregon Prison Inmates Promised Early Release Due to COVID-19 Are Still Waiting
Yes! Magazine
Police
Agencies Present
- Portland Police Bureau (Laurelhurst Park Sweep)
Munitions
None
Arrests
None
Charges
None