Summary
Despite the coming of the new year, tonight’s protest looked straight out of Portland’s summer season. Protesters were back at the Justice Center in numbers for the first time in a long time (not counting the Remember Wounded Knee memorial a few days ago, which started at the Justice Center but then moved to ICE), and it seems some time off has reinvigorated the community. Protesters began the night with speeches, fireworks, and setting several items on fire including a crosswalk light and a plastic dumpster.
The fires prompted an announcement from the Portland Police LRAD that the gathering was declared an unlawful assembly and, minutes later, a riot. Shortly after, Portland Police arrived and were able to push protesters a few blocks before they began throwing bottles and fireworks at officers. After being pushed back to the Justice Center by protesters, reinforcements from Homeland Security and Multnomah County Sheriff’s arrive. The joint forces managed to push protesters back a few blocks once again, bull rushing and causing injury to protesters at least once, before withdrawing at midnight. Protesters took the opportunity to move away from the Justice Center and migrated towards the Pioneer Square area, where some took to smashing windows and at least one store was reportedly looted. A small group of police officers came to the area to disperse protesters, but the night ended not long after.
Timeline
The New Years protest demonstration begins at the Justice Center in Downtown Portland.
NYE coverage starts here: @2lesslegs reminds everyone how the PPB pulled a performative stunt and took a knee outside the MCDC. The crowd screams, we all remember the incident and how it changed nothing. And the recently released memo from Ted about how good a PR stunt it is
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) January 1, 2021
By Portland’s Justice Center downtown it’s like a weird reunion of protests past. People in black are dancing to music and chanting protest slogans. Someone sets off a firework, quite loud. Down the block, the sound of breaking glass signals people are smashing the Starbucks.
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) January 1, 2021
What a reminiscent way to ring in the new year – 100ish people in bloc dance in the street outside the JC, undercover cops circle, a few fireworks are let off – brings me back to summer #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
A Blue Lives Matter flag goes up faster than anything I’ve seen antifa supposedly burn before pic.twitter.com/l0rDQAVqp7
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) January 1, 2021
There are about 150-200 protesters gathered in front of the Justice Center in downtown Portland. Crowds are shooting fireworks on Chapman Square. #PortlandProtests #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CMid3h7IXe
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) January 1, 2021
A flaming traffic light in front of the courthouse, a red smoke bomb glows behind it pic.twitter.com/GxU4xkfrrX
— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) January 1, 2021
A small fire has been set behind the fence surrounding the federal courthouse.
Behind the courthouse fence. pic.twitter.com/gVyfkfT8KC
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Just before 10:45 pm, Portland Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.
DJ LRAD makes an appearance and declares an unlawful assembly #PortlandProtests
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
Well if it ain’t the symbol of the fuxkin year, a dumpster fire! #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/hjETjGyeMP
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
The dumpster that was lit on fire does not handle it well.
A dumpster is lit on fire and then melts to the ground#PDXprotests #portlandprotest #Portland #protest #NewYearsEve #Oregon pic.twitter.com/t1XYEZgoDt
— Bethany Kerley (TopQualityDumpsterFire) (@TopQualityFire) January 1, 2021
Minutes later, at about 10:50 pm Portland Police declare the gathering a riot.
Update: Portland Police has just declared a riot. #PortlandProtests #PDXProtests #BlackLivesMatter
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) January 1, 2021
Still no sign of police though other than the lrad
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) January 1, 2021
A beautiful scene in downtown Portland on New Year’s Eve #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/kxtNI5XGGd
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
Officers in riot gear arrive just before 11:15 pm.
Riot cops have arrived #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/FyQlcLbSez
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
Officers are out and pushing protesters west on SW Main. Protesters throw fireworks and water bottles. pic.twitter.com/6GiKke82iS
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) January 1, 2021
Riot cops in downtown portland on new years eve #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/5SC9WWXMI4
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
After pushing protesters about one block west, officers retreat.
Protesters push cops back as they retreat and try to mace the crowd while firing munitions in Portland OR #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/fICycvgq4j
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
Phew ? so ppb pushed in, protesters didn’t budge and held the line until they advanced yelling “move back!” and it worked. They pushed the police back 2-3 blocks with lots of sound makers too. Once the cops got pushed to the back of the injustice center reinforcements showed up
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) January 1, 2021
Homeland Security (DHS) officers then arrive to confront protesters.
The Feds are back in downtown Portland. DHS agents have arrived. pic.twitter.com/yCrdEBGloU
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Federal Agents marching in downtown Portland, during the last few hours of 2020. pic.twitter.com/4VY92ynr6q
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
The crowd of demonstrators in Portland are actively pushing back the DHS. pic.twitter.com/IdF8L9JLIz
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Under pressure from the advancing protesters, DHS starts using chemical weapons and fires wildly into the crowd with impact rounds. The federal agents continue to fall back for now. pic.twitter.com/5M8i9UDWC1
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
The Feds push back with greater force. pic.twitter.com/Tl1CjtJ5p7
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
DHS retreats again. There’s a bit of a back and forth going one. Continued fireworks vs munitions. pic.twitter.com/YWiZuItyhu
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
The back and forth with the DHS rages on. Lots of smoke from all the fireworks. pic.twitter.com/xuEVU7No0y
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Tear gas deployed in Portland #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/c4YBqGeE94
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
City Police, Sheriffs, and DHS advance west. pic.twitter.com/QWjzjcnchf
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
More scenes from Portland on anew Years Eve #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/G00rOpBgQl
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
In the footage below, protesters are seen being shoved to the ground from behind by sprinting police officers.
Police and sheriffs bull rush the crowd, assaulting people along the way. pic.twitter.com/rQtNLSiAa0
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Teargas is being used in Portland yet again. After the bull rush police formed a line and slowly pulled back, simultaneously teargas was launched into the streets. pic.twitter.com/JyHrIoRjFA
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
A look behind the Police Line as cops and DHS pull back. pic.twitter.com/vrgEe7Tgyb
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
They pushed back again. Current standoff on 4th and main. Drum line is going strong and my mouth is spicy from that mace super soaker they used
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) January 1, 2021
Currently a standoff in Portland OR #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/V9JfJLzQCE
— Peter (@gravemorgan) January 1, 2021
With the police pulling back after their latest violet push, people had some free time and anger from being assaulted and gassed.
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
As the clock struck midnight and 2021 began in Portland, another Starbucks got smashed. pic.twitter.com/VR0EISh8HJ
Police forces, which I now realize included Department of Homeland Security forces, withdrew almost exactly at midnight. The protesters celebrated and largely left the Justice Center area.
— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) January 1, 2021
Many walked to Pioneer Square where they smashed more windows and looted Portland Wine Bar.
A group of protesters move to the Pioneer Square area, a few blocks from the Justice Center and federal courthouse, where windows are smashed.
A third Starbucks got targeted. Big chains and luxury shops are the businesses hit. pic.twitter.com/OA1AjbTsAP
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
A few officers arrive at Pioneer Square and jog around while cop cars circle. pic.twitter.com/WBMbc065gl
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
The group is significantly smaller. People were ready to disperse when multiple police vehicles stormed in with their lights on. They’re trying to do targeted arrests. People are really scattered and so are the police
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) January 1, 2021
A few blocks away from Pioneer Square, Portland Police do what I believe is the first arrest of night. pic.twitter.com/eSrR2ZfALw
— Garrison Davis (@hungrybowtie) January 1, 2021
Media Present
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Bethany Kerley @TopQualityFire – Venmo: Piggybooplaya
- Garrison Davis – CashApp $hungrybowtie / paypal.me/garrisondavispdx
- Justin Yau @PDocumentarians – CashApp: $portlandindepend / PayPal: https://paypal.me/portlandindepend
- Melissa “Claudio” Lewis – Cashapp: $ClaudioReport / Venmo: Claudio_Report
- Peter @gravemorgan
- Suzette Smith
Police
Agencies Present
- Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
- Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
- Portland Police Bureau
Munitions
- mace
- pepper balls
- smoke
- tear gas
Some festive riot munitions. Including the yellow smoke. Happy new year! pic.twitter.com/4uMOwTCJJi
— 45th paradoxical anti-sex brigade (@45thabsurdist) January 1, 2021
Arrests
Arrests reported, numbers not available
Charges
Not available as of 1/1