Summary
Earlier today, a group of Standing Rock Youth held a 93 mile run, at the end of which they demanded that President Biden shutdown the Dakota Access Pipeline. In solidarity with this protest, Portland’s “Indigenous Bloc” organized a march beginning at Holladay Park. Around 50 protesters began marching from the park around 10:10 pm and arrived at their destination, the local headquarters of the Army Corps of Engineers, around 11 pm. During the march protesters chanted, danced, and dropped a banner on a freeway overpass. Once at the Army Corps building, indigenous community members gave speeches until the end of the demonstration just after midnight.
However, as protesters were leaving the area, a small group gets detained by federal Homeland Security officers. Altogether 4 protesters are detained, one of which is removed from the other three and moved to a police van. Despite none of the protesters being informed of the reason for their detainment, they are held for upwards of half an hour before suddenly being let go without any citations or charges. By 1:30 am, all protesters are finally able to get out of the area and the night came to an end.
Timeline
A demonstration demanding President Biden to shutdown the Dakota Access Pipeline begins at Holladay Park.
I am at Holladay Park, Portland, tonight to provide coverage of the march in solidarity with Standing Rock Youth, demanding that the Biden administration shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline. Press has been provided with a flyer pictured here- alt text in the following tweets. pic.twitter.com/iqxZalcfwM
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
This morning at 9 AM, youth from Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux Nation Youth held a 93 mile run to the Cannonball river to where the Oceti Sakowin Camp was and demanded the Biden administration stop the Dakota Access Pipeline operation #PDXIndigenousBloc pic.twitter.com/AeiGjMr1u0
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) February 10, 2021
There is a decent crowd of between 40 and 60 people here. One person is playing music over a loudspeaker. A majority of the rest of the crowd is rather quiet. pic.twitter.com/Aj0fgxf6Ln
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
A red and black banner has been erected.
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
“LAND BACK
ABOLISH ICE “ pic.twitter.com/4Rp64SC8Nd
Precautions have been taken to ensure that tonight’s action is accessible to all. An ASL interpreter is present for those who are hard of hearing. Transportation is available for those who are unable to make the March physically. pic.twitter.com/HzUOoCfo4N
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Crowd chanting before the march takes off:
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) February 10, 2021
Mni Wičoni!
Water is life!
“We are all one drop of water, but when we come together we make a wave.”
— Alissa Azar (@R3volutionDaddy) February 10, 2021
An Indigenous youth speaks to the crowd before the march explaining the importance of coming together as a community and how precious and necessary water is
The march begins just before 10:10 pm.
The march has begun. Scattered chants can be heard. “Water is life“ “Mni Wiconi” pic.twitter.com/UhYzcPpaKJ
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Indigenous organizers lead the march while drumming and singing honor songs. It is beautiful beyond words, and the video does not do it justice. pic.twitter.com/mwKVOpVbo1
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
“No good cops! No good presidents! Give the land back to its original residents!“ pic.twitter.com/OZlCkpMuK9
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Further drumming and singing of honor songs. Absolutely breathtaking. Again, the video does not do it justice. pic.twitter.com/bj25QZlqPX
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Protesters drop a banner on an overpass.
A banner has been dropped on the fence across the overpass. I cannot get a picture of it from the bridge that I am currently on, but it reads “Shut down DAPL!” pic.twitter.com/Y0phrpRidP
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
An anonymous source told me that they could hear the drums while they studied and it was absolutely beautiful. They sent this photo of the banner drop. I almost want to cry. pic.twitter.com/Pzq2qDN96D
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Protesters continue to take the streets to the sounds of drums and honor songs. pic.twitter.com/xrztfQDIu2
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
The crowd has arrived at the local headquarters for the Army Corps of Engineers. Now there will be a series of speeches. pic.twitter.com/ERw39bqLyv
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Just after 11:30 pm Indigenous community members begin giving speeches.
We are told about a man named Steve Martinez who is in jail for refusing to testify defending federal use of munitions that almost took a woman’s arm off- a reminder to keep strong solidarity close to heart. pic.twitter.com/jSn1hyPjLR
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
A Homeland Security police car is spotted in the area.
For reasons unknown, the department of homeland security has decided that it is prudent to have an officer posted up by the protest. Something about teenagers reciting poetry seems to threaten them? pic.twitter.com/QJsR9eQw16
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
With speeches done, the demonstration comes to an end just after midnight.
Following a final session of drums and singing, the crowd has dispersed/is dispersing.
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Goodnight and be safe, everyone. ? pic.twitter.com/x5Z5etvwX8
As protesters are leaving the area, several are detained by Homeland Security officers without being given a reason.
DHS officers are arresting people and not telling them why. I will be contacting the NLG in their favor. pic.twitter.com/5HRKzOerkG
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
My videos are not uploading very quickly, but three people are being detained without reason and one has been taken into custody. There are currently three DHS vehicles on the scene, and one just drove away. The NLG has been notified.
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Before I could get this video uploaded, another car arrived pic.twitter.com/jmgp3Es76R
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
In the footage below, a Homeland Security officer without a mask holds his jacket over his face. This is not know to be effective and does not replace wearing a mask.
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
All four detained protesters are released by 1:20 am.
The man who was arrested has been released from arrest because he is not the blonde person they were looking for pic.twitter.com/9p6h9nDU79
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
All those detained or arrested has been released. Officers are leaving. pic.twitter.com/M7MRtYQQPa
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
The night is finally able to officially come to an end by 1:25 am.
Everyone is gone. Everyone is safe.
— Alix Powell (@thatpowellgirl) February 10, 2021
Media Present
- Alissa Azar @R3volutionDaddy – CashApp: $pdxalissa / Venmo: @R3volutionDaddy
- Alix Powell @thatpowellgirl – CashApp: $pazwell
Police Agencies Present
Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service