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

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 October 2

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Friday afternoon, a BLM art therapy event at Irving Park in NE Portland was disrupted by an unidentified DHS officer who claimed to be serving a warrant, then chased a person through the park while attendees attempted to block them. They did not make an arrest.

In the evening, protesters gathered in SE Portland at Laurelhurst Park to march to the Penumbra Kelly building on E Burnside, where Multnomah County sheriffs and Portland police are stationed. Before the protest left the park, police made an announcement using a LRAD loudspeaker saying that protesters did not have a permit for their march and must stay on sidewalks. This is similar to statements made at the start of an event in North Portland last week, but this time no police officers attempted to physically intervene.

The march left the park and arrived at the Penumbra Kelly building without interference. Protesters used foil reflectors to shine the bright headlights from police vehicles parked outside back onto the building. Around 10 PM, protesters began marching in what turned out to be a loop around the block, then returned to the front of the building. After some chants, they left and did another loop. Protesters gave speeches about an upcoming ballot measure to fund drug treatment programs, and about how racist systems criminalize Black people to fund themselves. Musicians set up a keyboard and guitars and began a jam session, with freestyle rapping on top. By midnight the protest appeared to be winding down and many people had left.

At about midnight, with no apparent change in the protester’s activities, police came out to address the vehicles that were blocking traffic (to protect the protest from car attacks). Protesters stood in front of a motorcycle officer to block them from getting to one of these support vehicles. One person was hit and dragged by the motorcycle, and another received a head injury. Both needed urgent medical care, which volunteer medics immediately started to help with. Police came out to clear protesters and offer medical aid, interfering with the community medics. Both injured protesters were able to be transported to receive the needed care after this. The protester who was dragged has been arrested but currently remains at a hospital.

Scheduled Events

  • Art Therapy for Black Lives Matter – 1-5 PM at Irving Park
  • Laurelhurst Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

The Art Therapy event this afternoon was interrupted with what appears to be an attempted arrest by DHS officers:

At Laurelhurst Park for tonight’s action:

Led by activist Demetria Hester:

Another loop around the building:

Many protesters and press have left as the night appears to be winding down.

CW for violent arrests, assault, and a vehicle attack in the videos that follow. There are also strobing lights.

Media

Present

Articles

The Guardian

The data scientist exposing US white supremacists: ‘This is how you fight Nazis’

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Portland Cops Will Stay Federally Deputized Through 2020. What Does That Mean for Portland?

Willamette Week

Federal Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea From Portland Man Who Set Fire to County Property During Riot

Police

Agencies present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Federal: unidentified, DHS

Munitions used

  • Pepper balls
  • Pepper spray

Number of arrests

Four

Charges

  • Attempted Assaulting a Public Safety Officer
  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree
  • Harassment 

News for October 1

Posted on by audrey

No scheduled events today.

Media

Articles

LA Progressive

Portland Stripper Strike Sparks Nationwide Movement Against Racism in Night Clubs

OPB

US Justice Department cracks down on Portland protesters with law from civil rights era

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

Patriot Prayer suit against Multnomah D.A. moves forward

Willamette Week

Gov. Kate Brown Says She Wasn’t Involved in Decision of How Long Portland Police Officers Would Be Federally Deputized

Vox

There are proven ways to keep protests peaceful. Trump is doing the opposite.

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 28

Posted on by audrey

Summary

The direct action march on Monday night had an unexpected start when a large number of police officers showed up at Kenton Park while people were gathering there. The police searched people without consent and took supplies from the mutual aid tents, and also arrested someone with a “Vote!” sign. A warning was issued that force could be used against people in the street or blocking traffic, so when the police withdrew and the march began around 10 PM, protesters remained on the sidewalk.

Protesters arrived at their destination, the Portland Police Association building, and police made an announcement that the sidewalks outside the building were “closed”. They did not declare an unlawful assembly at this point, but rushed the protesters and began making arrests. Protesters then regrouped across the street from the PPA building. Reporters captured video of police officers gathering rocks from a street median with no one else around, which is significant because police reports often say that rocks have been thrown by protesters while reporters dispute or are unable to confirm these claims.

Police declared an unlawful assembly at about 11:34 PM and rushed the protesters again, making more arrests across the street in a 7-Eleven parking lot. Officers used OC gas and pepper spray during these actions. A smaller group returned to the PPA after this, and the protest tapered off around 1 AM.

Scheduled Events

  • Kenton Park Direct Action March – 8 PM

Timeline

Protesters are gathering at Kenton Park in North Portland:

There’s no indication that protesters have been blocking traffic when these announcements are made:

Unlawful assembly declared at about 11:34 PM:

CW for pepper spray/assault & audio of injured protester during arrest

Media

Present

Articles

OPB

Portland area officers will remain federal deputies through end of year

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Hall Monitor: An Authorized Militia

Portland Monthly

The Possums, the Police, and the Burger Barn

Verso

The End of Violence: 100 Days of Protest in Portland

Police

Agencies present

Portland Police Bureau (federalized, as of 9/26)

Munitions used

  • Pepper spray
  • Smoke
  • OC gas

Number of arrests

24

Charges

  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree 
  • Escape in the Third Degree
  • Menacing 
  • Harassment

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

News for September 25

Posted on by audrey

No in-person events are happening today, due to the far-right Proud Boys rally expected in North Portland tomorrow. Instead many groups are taking the time to prepare for counter-protests and other support.

Media

Articles

Associated Press

The Intercept

How the Protests Upended Portland’s Mayoral Race

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Gov. Brown Puts State Troopers, Sheriff’s Office in Charge of Policing Proud Boy Rally

Willamette Week