Protests for November 8

Posted on by sal

Summary

Tonight’s demonstration was a direct action that quietly happened with very little press coverage. A small group of protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park, then quietly marched through residential areas to their destination: the office of the Democratic Party of Oregon. Once there, windows were smashed and graffiti was applied on the building. The group didn’t stay in the area, but were followed by police as they marched back to Laurelhurst Park. At least one arrest occurred as protesters marched away, and as they returned to Laurelhurst the group dispersed and the night came to an end.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park for a march and direct action, which wasn’t announced on social media and largely wasn’t reported on until after its conclusion.

A member of the group is arrested:

The direct action is over by 10 pm.

Media

Present

Articles

OPB

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Protesters Break Windows, Spray-Paint Multnomah County Democratic Party Headquarters

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

Three

Charges

  • Criminal Mischief II 
  • Escape III 
  • Criminal Mischief I 

Protests for November 7

Posted on by sal

Summary

The projected winner of the 2020 election was announced by multiple news sources this morning: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be in office come January. It was a tight race to the finish line, and at its conclusion the country was split in its opinion of the election. Across the country, Biden-Harris supporters danced and partied in the streets while Trump-Pence supporters held rallies demanding that the Democrats stop stealing the vote by counting mail-in ballots (which were overwhelmingly in favor of a Biden-Harris presidency). It was no different in Oregon, which saw a busy day in Salem and in Portland.

The day began at a Stop the Steal rally at the Capitol Building in Salem, where right-wing protesters waved American and Trump flags in about equal measure. This rally saw very few leftist counter-protesters up until the very end, but the few that showed up during the day were outnumbered and were immediately assaulted and chased out by right-wing rally-goers. The angry crowd accosted and assaulted journalists who they deemed “fake press”, and also attacked a car that drove through the flag-waving rally shouting disparities about Trump through a bullhorn.

At the same time, in Portland, a black-led youth march was held, where black community members led chants and gave speeches about the future of the movement with Biden as president. Press coverage was sparse at this demonstration, as many reporters were occupied by the events in Salem, but this march happened without incident from right-wingers or police. Black youth led the march of a few hundred through the streets and some speakers asked that their white allies should be more present at black-organized events.

Back in Salem, a left-wing demonstration began at 3 pm at Pringle Park about half a mile away from the Capitol Building, where Trump supporters were still holding their rally and seemingly waiting for the arrival of leftist counter-protesters. Mere minutes into the beginning of the march from the park, Salem Police arrived and blocked the intersection in front of the protesters, declaring an unlawful assembly. It should be noted that this group of protesters had only just begun marching after listening to speakers at the park. Protesters circumvented this blockage by simply getting on the sidewalk and walking around the police line, marching onwards to the Capitol Building. The confrontation between the right and left in front of the Capitol Building was brief, as they were immediately separated by Oregon State Police and Salem Police working in tandem. Joint police also took this time to push leftist protesters back, mostly by forcefully shoving those in the back of the pack closest to the police line, further down the block away from the right-wing protesters, and at least one arrest [of a leftist protester] was made at this time. This event ended quickly when the leftist group departed and marched back to Pringle Park.

Of note, there were two events that took place that were not mentioned in this timeline or were only mentioned briefly: another right-wing flag waving rally in Vancouver, Washington and a celebration dance party that took place in Downtown Portland. The flag waving rally ended without incident besides some members of the press being accosted by rally-goers. The celebration began as an impromptu Biden-Harris flag waving downtown during the day, which then grew into a full-blown dance party that went on into the night.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Stop the Steal Rally

Right-wing protesters are not kind to press members in the area.

Some protesters are armed at the event:

A counter-protester is chased out by aggressive right-wing protesters.

The event appears to be wrapping up and attendees begin leaving the area.

Until Michael Cross comes back for another speech for the crowd:

A small group of counter-protesters come to the rally.

There is talk among the protesters of crashing the left-wing demonstration about half a mile away.

Break White Silence March

At the same time, a black youth-led march is happening in Portland. [Or click here for the same clip with closed captioning.]

Week of Action Rally

An anti-fascist rally in Salem, which moved locations hours before the event due to safety concerns, begins at 3 pm.

Note: The “Antifa Tank” is present at this demonstration, and journalist Melissa Lewis pops a sick wheelie in it on her first try.

Just before 5 pm, demonstrators begin their march.

Minutes after protesters begin marching, Salem Police block the street and declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Protesters continue marching by going around officers.

The right-wing rally is still at the Capitol building, waiting for the leftist demonstration to come through.

Protesters arrive at the Capitol Building to confront the right-wing rally.

Oregon State Police advances on protesters, pushing them further down the sidewalk.

A left-wing protester is arrested:

Kudos to those who could hit the high notes pitching in on this tune:

Protesters march back to Pringle Park and the night ends in Salem.

Downtown Portland Dance Party

Back in Portland, a celebration dance party downtown that began during the day has stretched into the night.

Media

Present

Articles

Indigenous Action

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

The Stranger

We Out Here

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Oregon State Police
  • Salem Police Department

Munitions

None

Arrests

4

Note: it is unclear which of the arrestees were right-wing or left-wing protesters, but there is video footage of at least one left-wing arrest.

Charges

  • Assault IV 
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Interfering with Police
  • Offensive Littering
  • Unlawful possession of firearm
  • Unlawful use of OC

Protests for November 4

Posted on by sal

Summary

With summer protests coming to an end and winter protest season upon us, demonstrations have been starting earlier in the day to make up for lack of daylight. Today, the day after the election, there were two different events in the city: one rally and march that began at the North Park Blocks downtown and a voting justice rally at Revolution Hall in North Portland.

The majority of the group at the North Park Blocks was in black bloc. The crowd of a few hundred rallied and listened to speakers in the park before marching east towards the waterfront park. On the other hand, Revolution Hall’s event had far fewer, if any, members of the crowd wearing identity-protective clothing. But they also listened to speakers in North Portland before marching across the river to the waterfront where the two groups converged. They did not stay together long however, before a smaller group marched away from what they had realized upon arrival was a voting-related event. The waterfront rally continued for a few hours with different speakers, and ended without much incident.

The group that marched away, however, was in for a much different night. Protesters marched through downtown, smashing the windows of many businesses along the way, which prompted the arrival of Unified Command (a law enforcement “joint incident command structure” comprised of Multnomah County Sheriffs and Oregon State Police) along with Portland Police, who declared the march an unlawful assembly and then a riot quickly after. Unified Command spent the next few hours pushing protesters around the downtown area and brutally shoving and arresting protesters, legal observers, and press alike. Multnomah County Sheriffs also announced on Twitter just before 7 pm that the Oregon National Guard were being called into Portland.

Keen eyed journalists caught footage of camouflage National Guard vehicles on the move around the downtown area and after 10:30 pm, guardsmen joined Unified Command and Portland Police on the riot line, facing protesters. Dozens of officers from multiple agencies pushed protesters one way but told them to go another, viciously shoved protesters and members of the press to the ground, and forced them to march so far away that they ended up outside of downtown right in the path of a medical emergency call at a nearby home.

When protesters were finally able to get back over the freeway to the downtown area, they marched towards Pioneer Courthouse, where both Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents stood in wait around the building. (For those tallying along at home, we are now at a total of 6 different agencies present in Downtown Portland, Oregon.) After detaining an individual dressed in a law enforcement costume and their friend, federal officers withdrew from the street and back into the courthouse. The night came to an end shortly after.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

North Park Blocks

At about 5:20 pm protesters begin marching.

Law enforcement officers attempt to make an announcement but their speaker is drowned out by the chanting protesters.

The two protests meet – the timeline of this event continues after the “Revolution Hall” section.

Revolution Hall

The Marches Converge

Across the street from the person with the megaphone, a clergy member provides a land acknowledgement.

An explanation from Sergio Olmos on the split and differing protester ideologies:

The March

While the rally continues at the waterfront, a smaller group leaves and begins marching elsewhere.

Unified Command makes an announcement to the group of protesters remaining at the Waterfront as this group continues marching out of the area

Unified Command declares the march an unlawful assembly at about 6:44 pm.

Officers in riot gear make their first appearance of the night just before 6:50 pm.

Unmarked vans spotted downtown:

Just before 6:55 pm, Unified Command declares the gathering a riot.

Mutual aid on-the-go:

Some protesters reportedly take an interesting route to avoid riot officers:

At about 7:30 pm, officers move away from the area.

Some protesters take the moment of reprieve to commemorate the night:

Just after 7:50 pm, officers arrive back in the area.

Another angle of the protester in the footage above being arrested:

An announcement from Unified Command:

Side Note: The National Guard has been spotted in Downtown Portland.

Just before 9 pm, the crowd makes it to the [in]Justice Center.

Protesters start a small bonfire.

The protest is once again on the move.

Unified Command makes an announcement over their loudspeakers just after 10:20 pm.

Officers arrive to confront protesters once again.

After previously announcing on social media that the gathering was no longer classified as a riot, Unified Command declare an unlawful assembly at about 10:30 pm.

Officers withdraw from the area.

National Guard vehicles spotted driving in the area:

Officers return minutes later and once again declare an unlawful assembly.

Members of the National Guard have joined Unified Command on the riot line.

At timestamp 1:04 of the footage below, a Portland Police officer can be heard referring to the journalist by name and telling him to “turn around” and “turn it around, buddy”.

Law enforcement have been pushing protesters for at least 9 blocks at this point:

Police appear to have pushed protesters directly into the way of where an emergency call is happening.

Two reportedly right-wing counter-protesters are arrested by federal agents.

Media

Present

Articles

AP News

Insider

OPB

The Oregonian

Politico

Portland Mercury

Texas Monthly

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Border Patrol
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Multnomah County Sheriffs Office
  • Oregon National Guard
  • Oregon State Police
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

12

Charges

  • Attempt Arson II
  • Burglary II
  • Criminal Mischief I
  • Disorderly Conduct I
  • Disorderly Conduct II
  • Harassment
  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Possession of Loaded Firearm
  • Trespass II
  • Reckless Burning
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Riot
  • Sale/Possession of Fireworks
  • Trespass II
  • Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

News for November 1

Posted on by sal

There is no planned protest for the evening of November 1st in Portland.

Media

Articles

The Columbian

KOIN

The Oregonian

Protests for October 31

Posted on by sal

Summary

Happy Halloween, Portland! The city celebrated the holiday today the best way we know how – by protesting police brutality.

The first event of the night took place at Irving Park, where a demonstration led by PNW Youth Liberation Front marched throughout the North Portland area. The group marched for about an hour, reportedly breaking many windows of large businesses as they went. Despite Portland Police declaring the gathering a riot very early in the night (at around 7:40 pm), the group employed tactics that kept them moving enough to avoid arrests until they arrived back at the park after their march. By about 8:10 pm, the demonstration ended without any confrontations with police or arrests.

The second event took place at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Washington, where protesters gathered to demand justice for Kevin Peterson, a young black man killed by Vancouver Police two days ago. Attendance of this demonstration numbered in the few hundreds, according to on-the-ground reports. As protesters trickled into Esther Short Park, they were immediately met by both a high right-wing counter-protest presence across the street from the park and a high police presence in the park itself barring people from walking through. Protesters spent the night marching to various locations, avoiding police and being tailed by far-right groups most of the way. Just after 1 am, Vancouver Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly, but do not use any crowd control munitions on the group of protesters. The protest ended for the night shortly after, around 1:30 am, with no arrests and very little interference by the police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Irving Park – Portland, OR

The Halloween protest begins at 6 pm at Irving park.

A closer look at the frankly terrifying masks being handed out:

Just after 7:05 pm, the continually growing protest departs from Irving Park.

Around 7:40 pm, Portland Police (PPB) declare the gathering a riot over their loudspeakers (LRAD).

Highly recommend hearing PPB’s choice of words:

Around 8:10 pm, protesters arrive back at Irving Park and conclude the night.

Esther Short Park – Vancouver, WA

Another demonstration takes place in Vancouver demanding justice for Kevin Peterson, who was killed by Vancouver police.

Protesters arrive at the sheriff’s department around 11 pm.

Ah, right. It’s still Halloween.

Just after 11:30 pm, protesters arrive at the Washington State Patrol crime lab.

Quick check-in on numbers outside the crime lab:

At about midnight protesters begin marching again, leaving the Washington State Patrol forensic lab.

Around 12:20 am protesters arrive back at Esther Short Park, where the demonstration began earlier in the night.

A protester in a small pink vehicle arrives at the scene:

A note on the identification numbers of Vancouver PD officers:

Around 12:35 am protesters begin marching again.

Just after 1:05 am Vancouver Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Media

Present

Articles

KOIN

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Clark County Sheriffs Office
  • Vancouver Police Department

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 28

Posted on by sal

Summary

Tonight’s demonstration took place at the ICE facility in Southwest Portland. Demonstrators gathered at the usual meeting place for ICE protests: Elizabeth Caruthers Park. From there the small group of protesters marched to the ICE facility, where they remained only briefly before continuing to march around the block to the sound of Homeland Security (DHS) officers making an announcement over their loudspeaker. Upon their re-arrival to the facility, the protest was met with yet another announcement that the facility was closed and to stay off the grounds. Officers then made their first appearance outside of the building for the night and arrested a protester that had walked up the driveway. After the arrest they re-entered the building.

When officers emerged a second time, they began deploying munitions towards protesters, including tear gas and impact munitions, and pushed protesters out of the area. For the next few hours officers continued flooding the area with tear gas and multiple arrests were made, two of whom were taken off in ambulances towards the end of the night, one in a neck brace. By about 2 am, with less than 10 protesters left in the area and having endured being gassed and shot at for hours, the demonstration had ended.

Scheduled Events

  • March to ICE – 11 pm

Timeline

Protesters gather at Elizabeth Caruthers Park near the ICE facility for the night’s demonstration.

Around 11:40 pm, protesters arrive at the ICE facility.

At about 11:50 pm, protesters begin marching away from the ICE facility.

After a march around the area, protesters return to the ICE facility just after midnight.

Homeland Security (DHS) officers make an appearance outside the facility.

Just before 12:30 am, federal officers reemerge from the ICE facility and begin firing tear gas at protesters and press.

Federal officers begin retreating back towards the ICE facility just after 1 am, but not before deploying more munitions towards protesters.

Protesters also return to the ICE facility.

Media

Present

Articles

Business Insider

Buzzfeed News

OPB

The Oregonian

Vice

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
  • U.S. Marshals

Munitions

  • pepper balls
  • stun grenades
  • tear gas
  • rubber bullets

Arrests

No information from Homeland Security. At least 3 arrests were caught on camera over the course of the night.

Charges

No information from Homeland Security.

Protests for October 27

Posted on by sal

Summary

Portland had quite the busy evening today. Three separate events took place, the first being the vigil for Walter Wallace Jr., a 27 year old black man who was murdered by Philadelphia Police during a mental health crisis call yesterday. The vigil began at 7 pm and ended around 8:45 pm, during which protesters gathered around the Justice Center downtown and listened to black speakers and placed candles on the steps of the building for Walter.

After the vigil ended protesters split into two locations for two different demonstrations – one at the North Precinct and the other starting at Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland. The demonstration at the north precinct was relatively brief. Protesters arrived at the precinct around 10 pm to the sight of squad car headlights shining out of the driveway of the building, illuminating protesters. By 10:45 pm a journalist just arriving on the scene reported that the group was no longer there, indicating that the demonstration had seemingly ended by then.

The other demonstration began at Arbor Lodge Park. Protesters marched silently through the residential area around the park until they reached their destination – City Commissioner Dan Ryan’s home. Once there, they chanted outside urging Dan to vote to lower PPB’s budget tomorrow. The chanting past 11 pm prompted the appearance of Dan Ryan and his partner on their front lawn, where they ended up standing for around an hour listening to protesters speak about their experiences with police brutality during the protests. However, Dan Ryan refused to offer a formal statement on how he will vote at the budget meeting on October 28th, but did exchange contact information with some protesters who wished the continue the dialogue.

All 3 demonstrations began and ended without police interference besides some verbal commands over loudspeakers.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A vigil is being held downtown for Walter Wallace Jr., who was shot and killed by Philadelphia police yesterday.

As the vigil comes to an end, some community members head to different locations for the night. Rest in Power, Walter Wallace Jr.

North Precinct

Second location #1: The North Precinct.

By 10:45 pm, the demonstration appears to have ended.

Arbor Lodge Park

Second location #2: Arbor Lodge Park.

Protesters arrive at city commissioner Dan Ryan’s house and begin chanting outside.

Dan Ryan agrees to engage in a dialogue with protesters.

Media

Present

Articles

Buzzfeed News

The Guardian

The Intercept

KGW

The Marshall Project

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Vice

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 25

Posted on by sal

Summary

The demonstration of the day took place outside of Portland in Lake Oswego, a majority white, former sundown town. Protesters, led by Moms United for Black Lives, gathered at a park in a residential neighborhood and immediately drew the attention of passersby. Throughout the entire demonstration, as protesters marched through both residential and business streets in the city, groups of spectators and counter-protesters on foot and in cars followed them around, including members of far-right group Proud Boys. Despite attempts at intimidation from those in the area, protesters’ spirits remained high throughout the march and the event ended without any physical confrontations between protesters and counter-protesters.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Between the trucks driving by and people from the neighborhood standing near the park, it appears this demonstration has drawn the attention of the community in Lake Oswego.

The protest is on the move:

Members of far-right hate group “Proud Boys” have made an appearance at the demonstration.

Right-wing counter-protesters continue making appearances.

Media

Present

Articles

The Intercept

The New Yorker

The Oregonian

PSU Vanguard

Moms march through Lake Oswego

Wall Street Journal

Police

Agencies Present

  • Lake Oswego Police Department

Munitions

Arrests

Charges

Protests for October 24

Posted on by sal

Summary

The nightly demonstration in Portland took place in front of the ICE facility tonight. Estimates vary as far as the number of attendees of this protest, but on-the-ground journalists placed it at anywhere between 30-50 protesters. Despite making several announcements to protesters over their loudspeakers, Federal Protective Services officers remained within the confines of the facility the entire night and never came out to confront the group of protesters. There was, however, an incident involving a car driving by with two individuals who purport to be former military, one of which pointed a gun at protesters. After driving about a block away from the protest, these two individuals got out of the car and were confrontational with protesters. A member of the protest was able to deescalate the situation and get the individuals back into their car, but it appears the incident may have shaken the small group of protesters and the night ended shortly after.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gather in Southwest Portland for the nightly demonstration.

Just after 9 pm, Homeland Security (DHS) officers declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Federal agents reportedly use their loudspeaker device as a sonic weapon.

CONTENT WARNING: The footage below contains a gun being pointed directly at the camera.

Two individuals opposing the demonstration drive past, then get out of their car and begin yelling at protesters.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

Portland Press Herald

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 21

Posted on by sal

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A small vigil takes place in Downtown Portland honoring the protesters who were killed in Nigeria.

Media

Present

Articles

Amnesty International

Futurism

KOIN

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

The Washington Post

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None