Protests for October 20

Posted on by sal

Summary

In the evening, protesters gathered at Elizabeth Caruthers Park near the ICE facility for the nightly demonstration. Tonight’s demonstration comes on the back of the news that 545 children have been detained by ICE and cannot be reunited with their parents because they (their parents) have been lost. Accordingly, the number 545 was written on walls around the area of the ICE facility during the demonstration.

Around 8:45 pm, about 100 protesters arrived at the ICE facility, and were mostly standing around and chanting until an unlawful assembly was declared by Homeland Security (DHS) agents at 9:35 pm. What followed was DHS officers pushing protesters out of the area using force and indiscriminately and brutally arresting protesters for the next few hours. An ambulance was also seen pulling into the facility around midnight, but leaves later without a passenger. There are some reports that another ambulance arrived later in the night, but that one didn’t leave empty-handed. By around 1:15 pm, with most of the protesters seemingly leaving the area when the first ambulance left, numbers dwindled and the night ended.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gather at Elizabeth Caruthers Park in South Portland for the nightly demonstration.

Around 8:40 pm, protesters depart from the park.

Around 8:45 pm, protesters arrive at the ICE facility.

From the side of the ICE building:

Just after 9:35 pm, Homeland Security (DHS) officers declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 9:40 pm, DHS officers emerge from the ICE facility to confront protesters.

DHS officers retreat as far back as the front gate of the ICE facility, then rush back out and make several arrests. (CONTENT WARNING: The next two videos contain someone clearly in distress while they are being arrested. Their screams are heard in the next two videos and can be difficult to listen to.)

An ambulance is seen entering the ICE facility just before midnight.

DHS officers rush out of the building and arrest more protesters.

No one is taken out in the ambulance that had pulled into the ICE facility.

Media

Present

Articles

KOIN

NBC News

News Break

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Portland Tribune

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service

Munitions

  • pepper balls

Arrests

No information from Department of Homeland Security

Charges

No information from Department of Homeland Security

Protests for October 18

Posted on by sal

Summary

Today was a quiet day for Portland’s protest community. With no events planned either during the day or at night, the community got a day to rest and do mutual aid work, like distributing ballistic vests to BIPOC community members and Portland Street Mechanics holding a clinic at Lents Park.

There was, however, a Back the Blue Rally during the day at the Justice Center and then the ICE facility. Despite some members of the crowd coming armed, the event began and ended without any significant confrontations from counter-protesters, of which there were none. By 4:30 pm, after about 3 hours of flag-waving, the right-wing protesters had cleared the area.

Scheduled Events

None

Summary

During the day, a Back the Blue Rally takes place downtown near the Justice Center.

It is unclear if the rally taking place at the ICE facility is the same group as the one at the Justice Center, or if it is an entirely different Back the Blue Rally happening concurrently.

Local activist Dr. Juniper Simonis was harassed by right-wing rally-goers at the ICE building. Journalist Laura Jedeed relays the situation:

The exchange between journalist Laura Jedeed and a right-wing rally-goer who had threatened them a few weeks ago at another Back the Blue Rally downtown.

By 4:30 pm, the Back the Blue rally-goers have left the area.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

Reuters

Vice

Village Portland

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 17

Posted on by sal

Summary

Across the country today, Women’s Marches took place in many major cities. Some specifically focused on opposing the possible appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In Portland, the march and rally were led by BIPOC community members in support of Black Lives Matter. Hundreds of protesters marched a small route around the downtown area and listened to speakers at Terry Shrunk Plaza before and after the march.

In the evening, protesters gathered at Willamette Park in Southwest Portland. There, organizers passed out silver star balloons, which all had harrowing accounts of experiences in ICE custody taped onto them. Protesters brought these balloons to the ICE facility with the intent of tying them onto the front gate of the building and around the area. Unfortunately, as protesters arrived and began tying the balloons, federal officers immediately came out of the building and dispersed protesters with pepper balls. For several hours federal agents pushed protesters out of the area, retreated, then re-emerged several times to deploy impact munitions and tear gas. This push and pull of officers and protesters moving up and down Moody Ave. continued for the entire night, until the confrontations ended around 2 am.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Women’s March

A BIPOC-led Women’s March begins downtown at 11 am, one of many Women’s Marches that have taken place today across the country.

Solidarity March – ICE

The evening demonstration will take place at ICE to honor everyone that has died in ICE custody.

A drone is spotted above the protest.

Protesters begin marching around 8:35 pm.

Minutes after protesters arrive at the ICE facility, Homeland Security (DHS) officers emerge from the building and disperse the group with mace.

DHS agents push protesters further away from the ICE facility.

Just before 9:25 pm, DHS agents retreat after pushing protesters a few blocks.

Around 9:40 pm, DHS agents re-emerge and bullrush protesters.

DHS officers re-enter the ICE building around 9:55 pm.

Around 10:20 pm, federal officers emerge from the ICE facility for a third time.

While retreating back into the ICE facility, a tear gas canister appears to detonate accidentally.

The tear gas pesticide gun makes a return:

Media

Present

Articles

AP News

KGW

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Police

Agencies Present

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

Munitions

  • mace
  • pepper balls
  • tear gas

Arrests

No information

Charges

No information

Protests for October 14

Posted on by sal

Summary

Today would have been George Floyd’s 47th Birthday. The community celebrated by gathering at Revolution Hall where they listened to black artists and black speakers, including George Floyd’s cousin. The demonstration ended around 9:30 pm with George Floyd’s cousin releasing the balloons that were on the memorial to George into the air as the crowd chanted his name. Happy Birthday, George.

When the celebration concluded, some protesters moved to the Red House on Mississippi, where the Black-Indigenous family facing eviction welcomes the community to come and camp out and use the plot as a gathering space. Others turned their attention to the ICE facility. A small group of protesters made their way there, where a mix of state and federal officers were waiting behind the gates of the building. Between the small number of protesters and small number of officers though, the two groups didn’t confront each other throughout the night and by midnight the demonstration there ended as well.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Community members gather at Revolution Hall for a celebration for a change. Tonight they hold a memorial for what would have been George Floyd’s 47th birthday.

Protesters take a break for cake and then continue with the birthday celebration.

Happy Birthday, George Floyd.

After the conclusion of the birthday party, some community members move to different locations: The Red House on Mississippi or the ICE facility.

Officers establish a presence within the front gate of the building, but do not confront the small group of protesters outside.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

OPB

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. Marshals

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 13

Posted on by sal

Summary

The location of tonight’s demonstration was not announced on social media beforehand. Regardless, a small group of around 20-30 protesters gathered at the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Despite small numbers, federal officers exited the building to allow a car to leave the facility parking lot twice, and then a third time to arrest a protester. By about 12:30 am numbers in the group of protesters dwindled and the night ended without any further incident.

Scheduled Events

  • Direct Action March (Previously Undisclosed Location) – 10 pm

Timeline

Protesters gather at the ICE facility in Southwest Portland.

Despite small numbers, officers establish a presence at the demonstration.

After officers re-enter the building, a medic performs their Obama impression routine.

Protesters receive a sudden donation:

Officers suddenly rush out just after midnight and arrest one protester.

By around 12:30 am, numbers have dwindled and the night ends.

Media

Present

Articles

Buzzfeed News

Chicago Sun-Times

Common Dreams

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. Marshals

Munitions

None

Arrests

No information as of 10/14, 1 am

Charges

No information as of 10/14, 1 am

Protests for October 11

Posted on by sal

Summary

During the day a right-wing Back the Blue Rally took place downtown. Estimates put the number of attendees of this rally around 50-60 people. During the rally, attendees ransacked a houseless camp at Chapman Park next to where they were demonstrating, graffitied buildings and at least one statue, and deployed pepper balls and mace against the comparatively small group of counter-protesters that had come to oppose the event. By the end of the demonstration, right-wing protesters retreated to a parking garage and eventually left from there in their cars while escorted by police.

More importantly, today is Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage. Accordingly, an indigenous-led march was slated for the evening. This event called strictly for no cameras to be recording and absolutely no live-streaming. At sunset, protesters gathered under the Burnside Bridge and then marched downtown, the end location of which was not disclosed. Journalists on the ground reported that the group moved with deliberate energy and purpose, and despite numbering around 300 people were able to stay together effectively. Within a few minutes of reaching the South Park Blocks downtown, protesters were able to topple two statues, one of Theodore Roosevelt and later one of Abraham Lincoln. Soon after, an unlawful assembly was called and then quickly upgraded to a riot and the crowd dispersed. Some of the group were followed and pushed by Portland Police by the waterfront, but for such an eventful night, very few arrests were made. The demonstration ended by about 10:30 pm, although Portland Police harassed and arrested a member of one of the snack vans a little bit later.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A Back the Blue Rally began early in the day downtown, at some point during which attendees begin harassing a houseless encampment in the area.

Content Warning: c- slur used in the video below.

The group of protesters move back towards Chapman Square after briefly standing at the site of Aaron Danielson’s death.

As right-wing protesters leave in their cars, they are escorted by Portland Police officers.

By around 4:20 pm, attendees of the Back the Blue rally leave the area and counter-protesters focus their efforts on aiding the houseless encampment that was attacked by rally-goers.

In the evening, a demonstration honoring Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage begins at sunset. Indigenous organizers have said that cameras and live-streaming will not be permitted at this event.

The demonstration departs from their meeting place under the Burnside Bridge just before 8 pm and begins marching to an undisclosed location.

At 8:30 pm, Portland Police began making announcements to the moving crowd.

Protesters take down a statue of Theodore Roosevelt located in the Park Blocks downtown.

Minutes later another statue comes down – this time of Abraham Lincoln.

The Oregon Historical Society and Museum sustained some damaged.

At around 9:35 pm Portland Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Minutes later the declaration updates to a riot.

A group of protesters that had splintered from the main demonstration are pushed by Portland Police at the waterfront.

Protesters disperse quickly after the initial push.

By 10:30 pm most protesters have cleared the area.

Media

Present

Articles

KGW

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Sunday Night Riot, Vandalism of Oregon Historical Society Met With Widespread Condemnation, Criminal Charges

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

3

Charges

Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Reckless Endangering, Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Riot, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public

Protests for October 10

Posted on by sal

Summary

Tonight’s protest lasted 15 minutes.

The location of the nightly march wasn’t publicly announced beforehand. Regardless, protesters gathered in the evening at Peninsula Park in North Portland. At approximately 10:00 pm, they arrived at the North Precinct to the sounds of the Portland Police loudspeakers already warning against blocking the street. At approximately 10:15 pm, Portland Police officers ran at protesters from behind where they stood in front of the precinct driveway and arrested at least half of the group, in effect ending the protest. There was no declaration of unlawful assembly and no dispersal orders before the mass arrest.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Early in the day the Nightmare Elk, which has been the longest running replacement for the Elk Statue downtown, was taken from its plinth by members of Patriot Prayer, a local far-right group.

As protesters arrive at the North Precinct for the nightly demonstration, Portland Police (PPB) have already begun making announcements to the crowd.

Around 10:15 pm, protesters are suddenly arrested en masse by police. There has been no declaration of an unlawful assembly at this point.

The small protest lasted for about 15 minutes before the mass arrest.

Media

Present

Articles

Buzzfeed News

Deadline

The Intercept

KGW

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

Mace

Arrests

26

Charges

Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Attempted Escape in the Third Degree 

Protests for October 7

Posted on by sal

Summary

Two events took place during the day in Portland. The first, beginning at 11 am, was a BeautyBloc event providing beauty and grooming services to the community. Services included haircuts, nail painting, and MendingBloc, who provides clothe-mending services to the community, was also present. Coinciding with this event was a march led by Letha Winston, mother of Patrick Kimmons, at noon. This march usually takes place downtown, as it is a weekly event, but this time Letha led protesters to the Portland Police north precinct, where they listened to her speak.

In the evening, in lieu of a march, protesters were invited to gather at the Red House on Mississippi Ave. in north Portland. The Kinney family, who has lived in the house for decades, is fighting eviction and are receiving community support to occupy the house. At least one member of the family spoke to the crowd, as well as other black community members.

All-in-all it was a day of protests and self-care that went unimpeded by law enforcement intervention.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gather near the Portland Police north precinct around noon, where a demonstration led by Letha Winston will be held.

In North Portland, a BeautyBloc event offering beauty and grooming services to the community is taking place.

The demonstration in the evening takes place at the Red House, where the Kinney family is fighting an eviction with support from the community.

Media

Present

Articles

The Appeal

CNN

The Hill

KOIN

NBC News

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for October 6

Posted on by sal

Summary

The nightly demonstration for October 6th took place at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Southwest Portland. Before marching to the facility, protesters gathered at Elizabeth Caruthers Park nearby. At around 9:45 pm protesters departed from the park and began making the short march to the ICE building. Once there, they were immediately met with federal officers standing behind the front gate of the building, which was closed. Not long after protesters arrived, an unlawful assembly was declared by federal officers, and they announced a warning that protesters had two minutes to vacate the area. Those two minutes passed and then was followed by another 40 minutes of inaction by federal officers until a protester threw a smoke bomb onto the roof of the facility. Officers responded in kind by coming out of the ICE building and filling the street with smoke and tear gas, inadvertently also flooding neighboring apartment buildings with smoke.

After being pushed out several blocks by federal officers, protesters made their way back to the ICE building and were immediately met by federal officers again, who by this point outnumbered protesters. Federal officers, after an extended stand-off with protesters, once again pushed protesters out of the area and, in a seemingly coordinated effort, Portland Police officers suddenly appeared from the back and arrested protesters. After this second push, a small group of around 10 protesters made their way back to the ICE building. A few protesters were detained upon their return, and afterwards police retreated for the night. By 1:45 am, numbers had dwindled significantly and the night ended.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

In the evening, protesters gather at Elizabeth Caruthers Park.

At about 9:45 pm, protesters leave the park and begin marching.

Just after 9:50 pm, protesters arrive at the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

At about 9:57 pm, federal officers declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 10:55 pm, federal officers emerge from the ICE building and push protesters out of the area.

Around 11:05 pm, federal officers retreat back to the ICE building.

Around 11:10 pm, Portland Police arrive to the scene.

Protesters, who were pushed out several blocks by heavy tear gas, begin making their way back to the ICE facility.

Federal officers reemerge minutes after protesters arrive back at the ICE facility.

At a neighboring apartment building:

Portland Police suddenly appear and begin making arrests.

A local resident comes out to speak to protesters and police.

While their speaker was confiscated, the “sound person” SoundBloc was not arrested after all.

Around 12:30 am, Portland Police depart after making multiple arrests.

Media

Present

Articles

Al Jazeera

The Columbian

CNN

The Intercept

KGW

KOIN

The Nation

NBC News

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

The Texas Tribune

Vice

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services
  • Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations
  • U.S. Marshals
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • flash bangs
  • tear gas
  • smoke grenades
  • pepper balls

Arrests

4

Charges

Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct 
1 Citation: Unlawful Sound Amplification 

Protests for October 4

Posted on by sal

Summary

Portland had a busy day of protests on October 4th. Around noon, a right-wing 2nd Amendment rally began downtown. Estimates by journalists on the ground placed the number of attendees of this rally around 30 people at most. But if there’s a right-wing rally in town, there will always be leftist counter-protesters present as well. Some rally attendees came open carrying, while others had mace on their belts. Over the course of the event, small clashes happened between right-wing protesters and left-wing counterprotesters, most of them verbal but a few physical as well. At least two people were also maced, and a physical fight prompted Portland Police to come in and separate the two groups. By around 5 pm the rally finally wound down and right-wing protesters left the area.

In another part of town, also at noon, a black folx-only demonstration began. There were around 100 – 150 community members in attendance at the Black Existence March. Protesters at this event marched around the neighborhood, and at their starting point and end point of the march stopped to listen to speakers and musical performances. The march began and ended peacefully, without any interference from the police, and attendees were able to revel in a cultivated safe black-only space.

In the afternoon, a self-care art event at Holladay Park took place in North Portland. Attendees were given art supplies, including chalk, as a medium to create art while performing self-care and community bonding. This event wasn’t a protest, but more of a chance for community members to come together and decompress between protests.

In the evening, a direct action march began at the waterfront park downtown. The destination of this march wasn’t announced ahead of time, but by the time the small group of around 50 protesters began marching Portland Police were already on the scene announcing to protesters that vandalism of the new courthouse building would not be tolerated. Just before 10:10 pm, the group arrived at the new courthouse and was immediately met by a small line of officers in riot gear. However protesters did not stay there long, and soon marched to the Justice Center, where they also remained briefly before marching on to City Hall. Once there, protesters seemed to relax somewhat before a passing van carrying riot officers got folx on their feet again. Some vandalism occurred on the City Hall building at some point after protesters arrived.

After the first pass-by from riot officers, members of the group of protesters suggested they practice linking their arms together in order to remain tight as a group and prevent mass arrests. Immediately after protesters finished practicing this maneuver, riot officers once again appeared and began attempting to pull protesters out of the linked group to arrest. While it was not perfect, protesters linking together and not moving proved to be fairly effective in preventing arrests. While some individuals were pulled forcefully out of the group and arrested, protesters were able to prevent officers from performing a mass arrest, and they eventually left with only a few individuals that they were able to detain. By 12:30 am, the group had dwindled to around 10 individuals, and the night ended quietly without any further interactions with police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A rally organized by right-wing protesters begins around noon.

2A Rally

A group of counter-protesters arrives to confront the right wing protesters.

A small scuffle breaks out and is quickly de-escalated by counter-protesters.

Portland Police arrives but does not immediately confront the dueling protests.

Some of the right-wing protesters depart from the area, leaving the rest of the group of protesters behind.

Portland Police officers come and separate protesters and counter-protesters.

Black Existence March

In a different area of the city, a black-led rally and march begins around noon.

Just after 2 pm, protesters begin marching.

Self Care Event

In the afternoon, a self care event begins at Holladay Park around 6 pm.

Direct Action March

In the evening, a direct action march begins at Tom McCall Waterfront park around 9 pm.

Around 9:50 pm, the group begins marching out of the park.

The group of protesters leave the new courthouse and soon arrive at the Justice Center nearby.

*CONTENT WARNING*: blood (video below)

Media

Present

Articles

KGW

KOIN

The Oregonian

OPB

Vice News

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

Munitions

  • less lethal impact munitions

Arrests

6

Charges

Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Escape in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree