Protests for October 3

Posted on by sal

Summary

Just south of Portland is Lake Oswego, Oregon, where Black Lives Matter demonstrations have happened sporadically in the last few months. Today, a black youth-led march protested in the streets of the city. Besides a few interactions with the police and some confrontations with restaurant patrons in the area surrounding the protest, the march largely went off without a hitch. Protesters listened to speakers, including Portland local Mac Smiff, after marching and by 6 pm the event ended quietly.

In Portland, a candlelight vigil in honor of those in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was held in the evening. Protesters marched down Waterfront Park to Salmon Street Springs, where they placed candles at a display dedicated to ICE detainees. After staying by the display for about half an hour, the group of protesters marched back up Waterfront Park while chanting. By 9:40 pm, the event ended quietly without any interference by police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in Lake Oswego, Oregon during the day.

In the evening in Portland, protesters gather at the waterfront to attend a vigil for people in custody of ICE.

The demonstration and march ended around 9:35 pm.

Bonus: Dr. Juniper Simonis talks about their work surrounding the environmental impact that law enforcement’s use of crowd control munitions has had in Portland.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

The Root

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for September 30

Posted on by sal

Summary

September 30th marks the 2 year anniversary of the death of Patrick Kimmons. His mother, Letha Winston, has been a staple at Portland protests ever since his death, and since the George Floyd Protests began has been leading weekly marches in honor of her late son. Tonight, Letha organized a march and memorial for Patrick, and the community showed up in the hundreds. At its peak there were an estimated 500 people at the event. The event began at Pioneer Square in Downtown Portland, and from there the group marched to their final destination: SW 3rd and Harvey Milk Street, where Patrick Kimmons was killed by Portland Police two years prior. Here, there were food and drink vendors set up to feed protesters, and multiple black community members spoke to the crowd before Letha Winston took the mic, gripping the crowd with an emotional speech about losing her son. After the speeches concluded, local black artists performed for the crowd and the demonstration took on the atmosphere of a block party. This relaxed feeling, a rarity in Portland protests, carried throughout the night, and by 1 am the night ended quietly and without any interruption by police.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

The nightly demonstration is taking place downtown tonight and marks the 2 year anniversary of the death of Patrick Kimmons, who was killed by Portland Police.

Just after 7:05 pm, protesters leave Pioneer Square and begin marching through the downtown area.

At 8 pm, speeches begin at the site of Patrick Kimmons’ death.

A truck driving erratically nearby towards the protest distracts the group briefly.

Letha Winston, the organizer of the demonstration and mother of Patrick Kimmons, steps up to the mic.

A reportedly intoxicated individual briefly disrupts Letha Winston but is quickly escorted away from the protest.

Media

Present

Articles

Courthouse News Service

The Nation

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Truthout

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for September 29

Posted on by sal

Summary

A small group of protesters met at Laurelhurst Park near the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Penumbra Kelly Building for the nightly demonstration. The group had lower numbers than usual, and in the past have elected to not march based on heightened safety concerns with a small group. However tonight was not one of those nights. Protesters arrived at the MCSO building around 9:40 pm after making the short march from Laurelhurst Park. With a small group and the police only coming out of MCSO sporadically throughout the night to make targeted arrests, it appeared that not a lot happened in between the footage journalists caught of protesters being arrested. A vehicle belonging to the Snack Mamas, a local mutual aid group, was towed by Portland Police early in the night and a total of 3 arrests were made later. By just after 1 am, most protesters had left the area and the last members of press decided to head home as well. All in all it was a slow protest night for the community.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park ahead of their march to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Penumbra Kelly Building.

At about 9:30 pm, the small group of protesters departed from the park.

Around 9:40 pm, protesters arrived at the MCSO building.

The towed car reportedly belongs to @SnackMamas, a mutual aid group that provides snacks and drinks to protesters. You can support them by donating on Venmo (@Snack-Mama) and Cashapp ($SnackMamas).

Around 11:45 pm, officers rushed out of the MCSO building to chase after some protesters, but did not arrest any.

Media

Present

Articles

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Politico

Portland Mercury

Slate

The Washington Post

Willamette Week

Yahoo News

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

1 adult, 2 minors

Charges

Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II, Trespass II, Escape III

Protests for September 27

Posted on by sal

Summary

Yesterday was a long day for Portland. Between the Proud Boys Rally during the day and the rampant police brutality at night, it appears protesters are tired enough to take the night off. While the community takes a break from protesting this evening, a rally was held during the day by Letha Winston, mother of Patrick Kimmons, where she spoke to community members.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Letha Winston, mother of Patrick Kimmons who was killed by Portland Police in 2018, held a rally at Peninsula Park during the day.

Media

Present

Articles

ACLU

KOIN

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Raw Story

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for September 26

Posted on by sal

Summary

Portland’s protest community has known about the Proud Boys Rally that took place today for weeks, ever since it was first announced. As has always been the case, this meant that there would be at least one counter-protest in the city. These dueling protests have, in the past, been hot beds of conflict. Many have taken place in the downtown area, where there’s ample room between city buildings for the two opposing groups to face off in the street. Today, however, counter-protesters did not directly confront the Proud Boys and their rally’s attendees. Two different Black Lives Matter rallies took place: one at the Vanport Historical Marker, just a freeway away from the Proud Boys Rally, and one at Peninsula Park, in an entirely different part of town.

By the most liberal of estimates, the Proud Boys Rally at Delta Park had between 200-300 attendees. The first thing some journalists on the scene noticed when arriving was what looked like armed security covering a checkpoint at the entrance to the park. When nearby Portland Police were informed of this by the journalists, the officer said he did not know about the armed guards and would inform the command center. Despite the armed individuals both standing around the perimeter and on the grounds attending the rally, the rally itself was uneventful. Some members gave speeches, but it appeared that for the most part people were standing around chanting and talking amongst themselves. What was eventful, however, were that several members of the press were assaulted by attendees of the rally, some of whom accused them of being “Antifa” and physically made them leave. With only small scuffles here and there and no arrests at Delta Park, by around 2:45 pm the rally had ended and most of the attendees had left.

The rally at Peninsula Park in North Portland began around noon, at the same time as the Proud Boys Rally. At its height the demonstration had between 1,000-1,500 attendees, dwarfing the Proud Boys in comparison. There were different mutual aid and food tables set up around the park, as well as shields for attendees. At the start of the rally, some of the shield makers had reportedly been informed by police nearby that they could not pass out the shields, but they were eventually able to get them to the park and to protesters. Despite a stretch of rain in the middle of the rally, over one thousand community members stood on the lawn of Peninsula Park and listened to speakers and chanted. By around 3 pm the event ended, and some attendees made their way to Irving Park, where another rally had formed.

Before Irving Park, most of the protesters at that event began at the Vanport Historical Mark, where there was a counter-protest near the Proud Boys Rally. This event, which also began around noon, drew around 200-300 protesters who listened to speeches by community members and chanted. Around 1:30 pm the group departed from the park in a car caravan bound for Irving Park. Before they got there the caravan passed Peninsula Park, where the other event was still happening, and circled it, honking their support. When they got to Irving Park, a group that soon comprised of protesters from both counter-protests, listened to more speeches and musical performances. While there was some talk among the Proud Boys of also going to Irving Park, this did not appear to happen.

In the evening, protesters met at a location that was undisclosed by journalists on the ground. As more people arrived and people posted pictures and videos of the event, however, it soon became clear that the location was the Justice Center downtown. Protesters stood in front of the Justice Center listening to speeches for about an hour before police came out around 9:15 pm and began arresting anyone standing in the street. At this point an unlawful assembly had not be declared by any law enforcement agency. What followed for the next few hours was officers indiscriminately shoving protesters with their batons, including press and legal observers, pushing them around the area, and making mass arrests. Many members of the press were assaulted, and at least one bystander, a delivery person on a bicycle, was arrested for being in the area and was not actually involved in the protest. An unlawful assembly was eventually declared after many arrests had already been made. By 2 am, the crowd that started with around 100 – 150 people had been getting pushed around for hours, and the night finally ended.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Proud Boys Rally – Delta Park

Right-wing extremist group the Proud Boys gathered in Vancouver before driving into Portland for their rally at Delta Park.

There are reports of armed individuals guarding at least one entrance to the park.

There has been no indication that protesters at Vanport near Delta Park are making any moves towards the Proud Boys Rally. In spite of this, this announcement was made:

Portland Police liaison officers that had been at Vanport earlier in the day were seen at Delta Park with the Proud Boys.

Tension between the attendees of the Proud Boys Rally and members of the press continues:

With protesters from Vanport already on their way to Irving Park, right-wing protesters also say that they’re headed to the same location.

Anti-fascism Rally – Peninsula Park

In North Portland, community members gather at Peninsula Park for their own rally opposing the Proud Boys’ presence in the city.

Portland Police are taking protesters’ shields and arrested at least one person.

A celebrity appearance at Peninsula Park: Cesar the Llama.

Too sweet to not post:

After an over 3 hour long demonstration, protesters begin wrapping up.

Counter-protest – Vanport

Just across the freeway from Delta Park, community members gather at the Vanport Historical Marker for a counter-protest.

Protesters prepare for the car caravan as speeches end.

Evening – “Undisclosed Location”

In the evening, protesters gather at an undisclosed location in Portland.

Around 9:15 pm, police appear and push protesters back for the first time of the evening.

CONTENT WARNING: violent arrest.

Portland police briefly reappear.

Around 11:45 pm, police declare an unlawful assembly.

Richard is a regular at nightly protests and beloved members of the community.

Police exit the area around 1 am.

Around 1:50 am, officers in riot uniforms reemerge on the street.

Media

Present

Articles

ABC News

Courthouse News

The Daily Beast

The Guardian

KGW

Medium

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Southern Poverty Law Center

Vice News

The Washington Post

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Oregon State Police

Munitions

  • smoke grenades
  • mace

Arrests

30

Charges

Attempted Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Harassment, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Riot, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Escape in the Third Degree, Aggravated Harassment

Protests for September 23

Posted on by sal

Summary

The announcement of the court ruling in Breonna Taylor’s case ignited protests all over the country tonight. Portland’s response was no different.

The nightly demonstration in the city began at 7 pm downtown. Despite the demonstration slated to take place in a different part of the city initially, the location was changed after the announcement that brought no indictments for the murder of Breonna Taylor. In solidarity with Louisville, the people of Portland gathered in front of the Justice Center downtown, just like they had for the first few months of protests. Estimates from journalists on the ground put numbers around 400 people at its height.

The night began with the bulk of protesters standing at the front of the Justice Center listening to speeches by black activists. Eventually a smaller group splintered off and moved to the back of the Justice Center, where they threw things at an unboarded window above the back door of the building, cracking the window. Two small fires were also set against the building at different points in the night but both quickly put themselves out.

After declaring an unlawful assembly just before 10 pm, officers made their first appearance of the night and pushed protesters a couple blocks west while using impact munitions and tear gas. This confrontation did not last long, and officers quickly retreated back towards the Justice Center. Protesters then returned to the back of the Justice Center.

Half an hour after their first appearance, police officers reemerged on the street and began pushing protesters out of the area again. They weren’t there long before a protester rounded a corner officers were about to pass with an incendiary device, referred to by those on the ground as a Molotov cocktail, and threw it towards officers. The device landed right behind the riot line of officers, appearing to catch one officer’s shoes on fire for a few seconds.

The next few hours consisted of law enforcement officers, a mix of both state and federal officers, dispersing protesters out of the area. The protesters were heavily splintered by the heightened police presence, and one group got pushed all the way to the freeway on the edge of the downtown area, about 15 blocks away from where they started. While protesters were being dispersed, some officers also tasked themselves with destroying the tents of houseless folks living in the area and attempting to disperse them as well.

By 1 am the night ended without any further incident.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

The nightly demonstration in Portland began at 7 pm in front of the Justice Center downtown.

Protesters stood at the front of the Justice Center chanting and listening to speeches from black activists.

Another group of protesters made their way to the back of the Justice Center.

A silver car reportedly drove through the crowd of protesters at the front of the Justice Center. No one was harmed.

At 9:54 pm, Portland Police (PPB) declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

About 10 minutes after the unlawful assembly declaration, law enforcement officers made their first appearance on the street while firing tear gas towards protesters.

PPB pushed protesters west to the parks across the street from the Justice Center.

After a brief standoff between police and protesters, officers eventually left the scene.

A fire was started on some wood paneling on the Justice Center, but it quickly put itself out.

At about 10:20 pm, PPB declared the gathering a riot

Protesters set another fire on the Justice Center.

Just after 10:30 pm, officers reemerged on the street.

Some protesters managed to make their way back to the Justice Center before being pushed back by police and federal officers.

A separated group of protesters continued being pushed west to the edge of the downtown area.

The group that had gotten back to the Justice Center were also pushed west.

Officers retreated back towards the Justice Center and federal courthouse, prompting protesters to also make their way back.

There appeared to be a large group of officers in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility despite the lack of protesters in the immediate area.

Protesters continued trying to get back to the Justice Center.

Protesters once again managed to return to the Justice Center.

Officers from The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were seen in the area of the protests.

Media

Present

Articles

The Atlantic

Bellingcat

The Guardian

KGW

Newsweek

The New York Times

NPR

OPB

The Oregonian

Politico

How Portland Became a Nightmare for Democrats

Portland Mercury

Vice News

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Services
  • U.S. Marshals
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Munitions

  • tear gas
  • smoke grenades
  • pepper balls
  • mace

Arrests

13

Charges

Harassment, Attempt Murder, Attempt Assault I, Arson I, Possession of a Destructive Device, Resist Arrest, Riot, Interfering with a Police Officer, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Disorderly Conduct II, Criminal Mischief I 

Protests for September 21

Posted on by sal

Summary

The main protest for the night began at Laurelhurst Park with a march slated to go to the nearby Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Penumbra Kelly Building. About 100 community members began at Laurelhurst Park and, at around 9:15 pm, arrived at MCSO. The night consisted of activists giving speeches, performances, and dancing. The only interaction that the group of protesters had with law enforcement was at least one announcement from the sheriffs’ loudspeaker. Law enforcement officers did not confront protesters at the MCSO building.

At the same time as the bulk of protesters demonstrated outside MCSO, a much smaller group remained present at The Red House, the site of last night’s protest. The inhabitants of the Red House, a black indigenous family that is facing eviction, has been drawing on community support to keep their home. As the demonstration ended at MCSO, many members of the group made their way to the Red House around midnight to continue the night of protests. There, a journalist reported being watched by a Portland Police officer in a cruiser, but no altercation occurred.

Protests at both sites remained calm throughout the night; by around midnight most folks had left MCSO, either to head home or to the Red House. The demonstration at the Red House lasted throughout the night, with community members remaining on the lot of the house camped out on the lawn.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Penumbra Kelly Building

Protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park for the nightly demonstration.

Just after 9 pm, protesters departed from the park and began marching.

At about 9:15 pm, protesters arrived at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Penumbra Kelly Building.

A staple at the Portland protests, an older man named Richard, stood in the parking lot of the Penumbra Kelly Building prompting the sheriffs to make the first announcement of the night on their loudspeaker.

An individual came to the demonstration and began confronting protesters. Multiple reports indicated that he was intoxicated.

Some protesters went from the Penumbra Kelly Building to The Red House, the location of last night’s protest.

The Red House

At the Red House, a small group of community members spent the night camped out on the lawn, just as they had yesterday. Local activist Emily Gansberg was present before reporters arrived later in the night.

Media

Present

Articles

KGW

Portland is ‘permitting violence and destruction of property’, DOJ says

Protesters gather outside Kelly Building in Portland

High Country News

Will Portland’s summer of unrest reshape city politics?

The Nation

Federal Agencies Tapped Protesters’ Phones in Portland

The New York Times

Some Protests Against Police Brutality Take a More Confrontational Approach

OPB

Justice Department labels Portland ‘anarchist jurisdiction,’ threatens cuts to federal funding

President Trump to announce Supreme Court pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Saturday

Trump’s Supreme Court front-runner hailed by right, feared by left

The Oregonian

Feds say protester in Portland threw a rock but he says it was a bouncy ball. He now faces assault charge.

Former Wisconsin police chief to review Jacob Blake shooting

Top contenders for Trump’s Supreme Court nomination

Trump administration lists Portland, Seattle, NYC as ‘permitting anarchy and violence’

Portland Mercury

Good Afternoon, News: Mourning RBG, Trump’s Icky Supreme Pick, and Portland: America’s #1 “Anarchistic Jurisdiction”!

The Washington Post

Justice Dept. targets Portland, New York and Seattle over protests

Luxury cars, MAGA flags and Facebook invites: How an unknown Idaho family organized the Portland rally that turned deadly

Police

Agencies Present

  • Multnomah County Sheriffs

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for September 20

Posted on by sal

Summary

For the night of September 20th, the nightly demonstration’s location was the Red House on Mississippi Avenue in Portland. The black indigenous family that has lived there since 1955 is facing eviction, and is using community support and action to hopefully keep their home.

The night started at Unthank Park nearby, where protesters gathered to listen to musical performances and dance. By 8 pm a noise complaint had been issued in the neighborhood, so protesters moved to their intended destination – The Red House. Once there, they listened to speeches by community leaders, musicians continued performing, and a dance party broke out on the lawn of the Red House as well as the street in front of it. The family invited community members to camp out on their lawn, a sit in that was also planned on the flyer for the protest, which some protesters took them up on. Overall it was a quiet night in terms of law enforcement intervention. The music and dancing, however, sustained into the early hours of the following morning.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Some background on the reason for the location of tonight’s protest, a home known as “the Red House” on Mississippi Avenue:

Protesters met at Unthank Park for a musical performance and dance party, then moved to the Red House.

Just after 8:30 pm, protesters arrived at the Red House.

A neighbor was seen throwing glass bottles towards the crowd from their balcony.

Protesters continued dancing and occupying space on the lot of the Red House throughout the night.

To support the family that lives in the Red House:

Media

Present

Articles

Forbes

Trump Threatens To Issue Executive Order Preventing Biden From Being Elected President

KOIN

BLM Art Therapy event to promote positive vibes in community

The Oregonian

Nebraska bar owner found dead in Oregon days after his indictment in killing of protester

Portland Mercury

Good Morning, News: Supreme Court Crisis, Portland Protests Resume, and Looking Back at RBG

Willamette Week

Nebraska Bar Owner Indicted for Fatal Shooting of Protester Has Been Found Dead in Hillsboro

What Most Alarms Portland City Officials About Facial Recognition Software Are the Faces It Can’t Recognize

Police

Agencies Present

None

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

News for September 17

Posted on by sal

The air quality in Portland has finally moved into the 200 – 300 range, a significant reduction from the 500 AQI levels we saw earlier in the week. Despite some talk of a demonstration tonight, Portland’s air is still considered unhealthy which continues to stall protests in the city. There is, however, at least one demonstration planned for tomorrow night. We will just have to wait and see whether or not the air clears up enough for the community to pick up where they left off and go back out onto the streets.

To track the current air quality index as well as see a forecast for the next week: https://aqicn.org/city/usa/oregon/portland/

Articles

Fire Related

It’s Going Down

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Protest Related

Courthouse News

Forbes

The Hill

Huffington Post

KOIN

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Right Wing Watch

Truthout

Vice News

The Wall Street Journal

Barr Tells Prosecutors to Consider Charging Violent Protesters With Sedition

News for September 16

Posted on by sal

Another day of hazardous air quality in Portland, Oregon has continued to stall protests. In spite of this, the protest community is still hard at work providing mutual aid for those both in the city and in surrounding areas affected by the fire.

The Portland EWOKS (Equitable Workers Offering Kommunity Support) spent the last day moving their mutual aid operation, which provides food, supplies, and services to displaced folks, from the Lloyd District neighborhood to a location further south (an area that no longer has evacuation orders) so they could be closer to those that have had to flee their homes due to the fires. Team Raccoon and other community members helped this effort by cleaning up the Lloyd District site after the mutual aid station’s departure.

For resources on current conditions of the fires, evacuation notices, evacuation preparation, and more: https://wildfire.oregon.gov

Articles

Fire Related

KOIN

The New Republic

OPB

Portland Mercury

Street Roots

Willamette Week

Protest Related

The Guardian

The Intercept

KOIN

Mother Jones

The New York Times

OPB

Portland Mercury

The Texas Tribune

Vice News

We Tried to Obtain Footage of Michael Reinoehl’s Killing. Police Say It Doesn’t Exist

The Washington Post

Willamette Week

Note: After it was published, one of the interviewees in the above article expressed concerns over its impact and its focus on the perpetrator of abuses against protesters.