Protests for August 15

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Sunday, Black Lives Matter counter-protesters showed up for a far-right rally outside the Justice Center in Downtown Portland. There was chanting and yelling from both groups. The far-right demonstrators pepper-sprayed people multiple times and shot paintball pellets. As they were leaving, one of these demonstrators fired live shots from their car. Not long after, an unidentified person tossed a gunpowder pipe bomb at the counter-protesters.

That afternoon in 100 degree heat, PDX Black Youth Movement held a lively “Black Girl Magic” event with music and dancing in north Portland. In SE Portland, a neighborhood rally met at Mt. Scott Park then held a march.

At dusk, protesters gathered at Laurelhurst Park which has been a frequent start point for marches to the East Multnomah County Sheriffs Office / SE Precinct (EMSCO). After arriving at the police building, protesters chanted and formed a shield line. A militia group called American Wolf briefly came and stood outside the protest with a video crew, then drove off in a limo. After protesters crossed into the EMSCO property area and tagged the building, a riot was declared and police cleared the protesters, hitting them and bashing into the shields. Smoke canisters were deployed as well.

Police held a line at Cesar Chavez Blvd. (formerly 39th), using more smoke before leaving. Protesters regrouped to march back to the precinct, but riot police came and punctured the tires of the vehicle that was leading them. A protester cracked the window of one of the police vehicles, which led to a search and chase through the neighborhood and onto a residential property. Police pushed the crowd again, making more arrests, then retreated. Protesters returned to EMCSO where they danced and chanted until about 2 AM.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

This afternoon, a group of far-right organizers are holding an event downtown outside the Justice Center, which is met by BLM counter-protesters.

The far-right group begins to leave and the BLM counter-protesters follow them:

The far-right protesters entered the parking garage where they had parked, using pepper spray and paintball rounds on the BLM group. On exiting the garage, one of the far-right people fired live rounds from his car:

Then a pipe bomb was thrown from another vehicle:

The protests appear to have ended at this point.

In SE Portland at Mt. Scott Park, around 60 people have gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally and march.

Meanwhile in north Portland, the Black Girl Magic event is kicking off with a dance party:

Protesters are gathering in another part of SE Portland tonight with a march that will leave from Laurelhurst Park:

Moms United for Black Lives is out here tonight:

What appears to be a right-wing militia called “American Wolf” has shown up a couple blocks away from the police building:

…and they have a limo?

Back at the Penumbra Kelly Building:

The graffiti says “fuck you I won’t do what you tell me”:

A riot was declared at 11:57 PM: (some of the videos after this point may be out of order, reporters seem to be having slow uploads)

Protesters seem to be continuing to do what they were doing:

Then police rush the crowd and push them down the street:

I’m unsure whether this is smoke (which PPB has used frequently in the last few weeks) or tear gas:

Protesters chant “this is what community looks like!”

Then the police push forward:

And that’s the night!

Media

Present

Articles

Defend PDX

August 15th: Haley Adams in Portland with Violent Intent

The Oregonian

Street Roots

Two months in, Chief Lovell stresses community policing as he grapples with protests, police accountability

Willamette Week

Are Homeland Security Planes Compiling a List of “Terrorists” at Portland Protests?

Police

Agencies present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions used

  • Smoke
  • Impact munitions

Number of arrests

Waiting for details 7/16 @ 11:45 AM

Charges

Protests for August 14

Posted on by audrey

On Friday, Hip Hop Stands Up brought out Black Lives Matter supporters for music performances in Waterfront Park. In north Portland, protesters gathered at Peninsula Park for a march that was indicated would be taking a longer route than in the past. The march was blocked by riot police at N Ainsworth and Interstate, about a mile from the Portland Police Association building. After a standoff, the protesters reversed course and headed east and south. The march was blocked again not long after. As marchers continued to change direction and attempt to move forward, they came upon more lines of riot cops blocking their way.

A little after 10 PM as the march was blocked at N Killingsworth and Mississippi, an unlawful assembly was declared. Reporters observed paint balloons being thrown shortly before this announcement. Smoke, flash bangs, and impact munitions were used to disperse the protest and drive people back to Peninsula Park. The group reformed and continued north to N Rosa Parks Way. Police bull-rushed the protesters and pushed them several blocks further north. After being dispersed through the neighborhood, protesters regrouped again at N Buffalo & Commercial. Another encounter with riot cops pushed the protest onto the I-5 overpass on N Lombard, which has no significant barrier to protect people from being pushed over the edge. The police made dispersal orders but protesters continued to stay on the overpass. Then the riot cops bull-rushed the protesters and slashed the tires of all of the cars that had been forced to stop behind the police line. Most people appear to have dispersed after this point, around 1 AM.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Starting off tonight with a look at Hip Hop Stands Up (it’s still early!)

Over at Peninsula Park, folks are picking up new protective gear and showing off some fun work:

The march is off! Destination TBA:

Police are blocking the route at about N Ainsworth & Interstate:

The PPB seem to be warning protesters to not do the thing that the police are doing (blocking traffic):

?

The march is moving again, back in the direction they came from:

Unlawful assembly declared at about 10:10 PM:

It sounds like protesters have gotten split up into different groups, but this is the main one:

Earlier:

Most of the neighborhood response has been friendly, but not this:

A resident who was chanting in support of the protests was assaulted by his neighbors:

At this point, protesters appear to have dispersed for the night.

Media

Present

Articles

Columbia Journalism Review

Portland’s independent journalists team up to cover the front lines

KGW

Commissioner-elect Dan Ryan calls for a peace summit to end Portland protests and work toward reforms

The Oregonian

Politico

GAO finds Chad Wolf, Ken Cuccinelli are ineligible to serve in their top DHS roles

Vice

Irregular Periods and Horrible Headaches: How Tear Gas Is Making Portland Sick

Willamette Week

New City Audit Highlights Lack of Oversight of Three Private Security and Cleanup Teams

Police

Agencies present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions used

  • Smoke
  • Flash bangs
  • Impact munitions
  • Pepper spray

Number of arrests

Four

Charges

  • Assaulting a Public Safety Officer
  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Resist Arrest
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree 
  • Attempted Assaulting a Public Safety Officer 
  • Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree 

Protests for August 13

Posted on by sal

Summary

This was not the first time a main demonstration hadn’t been planned for the night in Portland, Oregon. In the days when every demonstration was automatically assumed to take place downtown, people would show up in front of the Justice Center whether there was an official event planned or not. Events co-occurring in the early evening in Peninsula Park (North Portland) and Jamison Square (Downtown Portland) drew small crowds, but when night came on August 13th there was no main demonstration in sight. Some protesters still went to the Justice Center, but even by 9:30 – 10 pm, there were 50 people in the area at most. With already small numbers from the start, the night came and went uneventfully.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

At 6 pm, community members gathered at Peninsula Park in North Portland to hear speeches and march a short route around the neighborhood.

In the Pearl District of downtown Portland, another group of protesters gathered and marched around the neighborhood.

At the customary location for nightly demonstrations in front of the Justice Center, a small crowd gathered despite the fact that there was no event planned.

Media

Present

Articles

KOIN

Night 77: Group marches near Peninsula Park

OSP angered by MultCo DA’s decision not to prosecute rioters

KGW

Oregon State Police troopers leaving federal courthouse in downtown Portland

Peaceful night in Portland with multiple demonstrations across the city

OPB

Oregon State Police leave downtown Portland

PSU to disarm campus police officers this fall

The Oregonian

Federal judge not convinced ICE did anything wrong in detaining 2 men in Bend, taking them to a detention center in Tacoma

Portland revises ban on its police working with federal law enforcement to allow talks with city-based federal authorities

State police pull troopers out of Portland protest coverage, return them to regular assignments

Portland Mercury

After Years of Student Protests, PSU Disarms Its Police Force

Audit Finds City-Approved Business Districts Rely on Unregulated Policing

Good Afternoon, News: Everything’s a “Riot” to Portland Police, PSU Disarms Campus Cops, and Trump Defunds Post Office to Win Election

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

None

Charges

None

Protests for August 12

Posted on by sal

Summary

Around midday in Bend, Oregon on August 12, an impromptu protest blocking a bus transporting two men detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) formed. Hundreds of community members rallied in the area, keeping the bus with the detained individuals in place for hours until around 11 pm when federal officers came and forcefully took the detained individuals away.

Back in Portland, around 4 pm a group of individuals were spotted in the parking lot of Mall 205 in Southeast Portland with a “thin blue line” flag (a flag used by supporters of law enforcement). This small group of between 10 – 15 people appeared to be meeting up in the parking lot and eventually left the area. Their presence was spread around social media, prompting many to believe they may show up at the nightly protest. However, there was no sign of these counter-protesters at the demonstration that took place that night.

In the evening, protesters were back in Downtown Portland, the location where most nightly demonstrations have taken place for the last two and a half months. The first couple hours of the demonstration consisted of speakers in front of the Justice Center. Some of these speakers insisted on the importance of “law and order” and voting for Joe Biden in the November election, prompting many in the crowd to either vocally disagree or wander away into the parks next to them rather than continue to listen. After the speeches ended most protesters headed over to the front of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse one block north of the Justice Center, where a couple small fires were started and fireworks were launched (much to the chagrin of those reporters who are not fans of very sudden, very loud bangs).

Just after 11:30 pm, Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and ten minutes later began dispersing by pushing protesters west in a riot line and shooting smoke grenades towards the crowd. This push ended after officers had moved protesters two blocks north and then one block west and then officers retreated from the area, but not before declaring a riot just before midnight.. When protesters made their way back to the Justice Center, officers once again began pushing them west, this time using tear gas as well. After pushing protesters all the way to 10th Ave. (The Justice Center and federal courthouse are on 3rd Ave.), officers once again retreated. Protesters heading east back towards the Justice Center were confronted by officers again, but this time they were not pushed far. Despite many officers spotted circling the area on a variety of vehicles (including vans and motorcycles), the night appeared to end without further incident.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

In Bend, Oregon, what started as a couple individuals blocking a bus purportedly transporting two community members for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned into hundreds of community members coming out in support.

A thread of tweets from an individual whose mother was on the ground in Bend providing live updates (click to be taken to Twitter to see the thread):

Protesters in Bend remained through to nightfall until the arrival of federal officers, who took the two men on the ICE bus away and pepper sprayed multiple protesters, after which they eventually dispersed.

Back in Portland (and back in time): Ahead of the protest scheduled to happen downtown, counter-protesters were spotted at Mall 205 in Southeast Portland.

In the evening, protesters were back downtown for the nightly demonstration.

A few small fires were set by protesters.

Around 11:20 pm, law enforcement officers made their first announcements over their loudspeakers (LRAD).

Just before 11:30, a small group of offices emerged from the Justice Center escorting individuals getting of their work shift, then promptly returned inside.

Just after 11:30 pm, Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 11:40 pm, officers in full riot gear appeared on the street and began pushing protesters out of the area.

Officers deployed smoke grenades while pushing protesters.

Just before midnight, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot.

Right after the riot declaration, officers retreated out of the area, going south back towards the Justice Center and federal courthouse.

With officers retreating, protesters began making their way back to the Justice Center.

Officers in riot gear began pushing protesters out of the area for a second time, this time also deploying tear gas as a tool of dispersal.

For location context, The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is on Broadway and Salmon. The federal courthouse is on 3rd and Salmon. The Arlene Schnitzer Hall is 4 blocks west of where officers began their second dispersal.

On their way back to the Justice Center on 3rd and Main, protesters were met with officers once again.

Reports indicate the group of counter-protesters that were seen at Mall 205 went to the PPB’s east precinct. There was no protest planned at that location for the night of August 13.

Media

Present

Articles

ABC News

Tear gas at Portland protests raises concern about pollution

CNN

Peaceful Portland protesters will not be prosecuted to avoid ‘irreparable harm,’ DA announces

Insider

Critics say Portland protests have been co-opted by ‘white spectacle,’ but Black activists say they’re staying focused on Black lives

KGW

Protesters gather at Chapman Square in downtown Portland

KOIN

Night 76: Riot, tear gas, arrests in downtown Portland

Sociologist to protesters: ‘What are you demanding?’

The New York Times

Portland Protest Clashes Re-emerge Near US Courthouse

OPB

Bend residents halt ICE arrests with impromptu protest

The Oregonian

After someone threw explosive devices at protesters in Laurelhurst Park, questions arise over police investigation

ICE agents detain Bend men as angry crowd protests

Police use tear gas during overnight ‘riot’ as Portland protests return downtown Wednesday

Portland Mercury

Good Afternoon, News: Council Clears Path for Affordable Housing, Kushner and Kanye’s Secret Chats, and Are Cops Ignoring Crimes Against Protesters?

Refinery 29

The Black Moms At The Heart Of The Portland Protests

Southern Poverty Law Center

When the ‘Alt-Right’ Hit the Streets: Far-Right Political Rallies in the Trump Era

The Washington Post

Liberal prosecutors face backlash over lenient charges following civil unrest and looting

Willamette Week

Email Exchange Shows Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese Was Concerned About DA Mike Schmidt’s Plan to Dismiss Rioting Charges

Federal Prosecutors Aren’t Waiting to Find Out if a Progressive DA Will Charge Portland Protesters. They’re Doing It Themselves.

How Angry Is Donald Trump at Portland This Week? Check the Presidential Rage-O-Meter.

Police

Agencies Present

  • Oregon State Police
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • smoke grenades
  • tear gas
  • pepper balls
  • mace/pepper spray

Arrests

2

Charges

Disorderly Conduct II, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Resist Arrest, Riot, Criminal Mischief II, Reckless Burning 

Protests for August 11

Posted on by audrey

Summary

Tuesday afternoon, the Kid-Centered March for Black Lives drew out a few dozen families for speeches, marching, and chants. In the evening, mutual aid group The Witches held a self-care event at Laurelhurst Park that was followed by a march to the East Multnomah County Sheriffs Office / SE Precinct on East Burnside. Protesters stood outside the building, chanting and giving speeches. The night ended uneventfully with no arrests or munitions used.

Scheduled Events

Kid-Centered March for Black Lives – 6 PM at Sunnyside School Park

Laurelhurst Park direct action march – 8 PM

Timeline

Beautiful weather today for the Kid-Centered March for Black Lives:

Before tonight’s march at Laurelhurst Park, The Witches are holding a self-care event:

The march has begun!

Protesters are arriving at the Penumbra Kelly Building, where the East Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and SE Precinct are located.

There’s reports that someone was badly injured after falling out of the bed of a pickup truck:

There’s another incident involving a cyclist:

There’s a sculpture of a police dog (which no protester has attempted to damage, to the best of my knowledge) inside this box:

The night ended uneventfully.

Media

Present

Articles

Courthouse News

Portland DA Won’t Pursue Charges Against Most Protesters

Mother Jones

Meet the Company That Writes the Policies That Protect Cops

The New York Times

A Bible Burning, a Russian News Agency and a Story Too Good to Check Out

OPB

Multnomah County DA plans to drop significant number of protester charges

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

District Attorney Mike Schmidt Will Drop Most Charges Against Portland Protesters

Police

Agencies present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions used

None

Number of arrests

None

Charges

N/A

Protests for August 10

Posted on by sal

Summary

The evening’s demonstration took place on the night of August 10th at Alberta Park in North Portland. A few hundred people gathered at the park, departing at 9:45 pm and heading for The Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) north precinct. When they arrived the PPB’s LRAD was already making announcements to protesters about not engaging in criminal activity. Protesters stood opposite a small riot line of less than 20 Oregon State Police officers standing in front of the building while they chanted, played music, played drums, and some threw eggs at and around officers. At 10:10 pm, officers announced that the gathering was an unlawful assembly, which was met by cheers and mocking from the group of protesters.

At about 11:15 pm, more officers appeared to the east of where protesters were standing, now PPB officers, and immediately began pushing protesters west away from the precinct. Officers appeared to have just been reaching protesters when they immediately executed a dynamic charge (or bullrush, as it is often called by those on the ground) that included shoving protesters from behind that were already walking way and making multiple arrests. These dynamic charges continued for several blocks as officers pushed protesters into the surrounding neighborhood and The Portland Community College Cascade campus. Even when protesters were pushed as far out as half a mile from the precinct, the LRAD still made announcements for protesters to clear “the area surrounding the precinct”.

After getting dispersed and splintered into small groups, some protesters managed to make their way back to the north precinct, where they were once again charged at and dispersed. Several arrests were made during these charges throughout the night. After this last dispersal of the already dwindling group of protesters, the night ended.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

At 1 pm a press conference was held by Black Lives Matter activists, including Demetria Hester who had been arrested the previous night and had just been released from custody before the press conference. The full video below:

The elk statue that resided in Downtown Portland has seen many iterations since it was taken down after there were fires set at its base during protests (including miniature statues and inflatable deer). Its newest, most nightmarish form yet is seen below:

Community members that had gone downtown in the early hours of August 10th to do jail support for protesters that were arrested the night before remained in the area until the last arrestee was released just after 7 pm.

In the evening, protesters gathered at Alberta Park for the night’s demonstration.

At 9:45 pm, protesters departed from Alberta Park and began marching.

At about 10:05 pm, protesters arrived at The Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct.

*FLASH WARNING*: The footage below contains a rapidly flashing light.
Video Description: Law enforcement officers stand opposite protesters seen holding up peace signs with their hands. One of the officers has a strobing flashlight pointed at protesters.

*FLASH WARNING*: The footage below contains a rapidly flashing light.
Video Description: While protesters are heard playing the drums and cheering, an individual in the crowd points a strobing flashlight at officers and the police’s loudspeakers (LRAD) can be heard repeating the phrase, “stop shining the strobe light at officers” and threatens the individual with arrest and use of force. The video pans to the protester side, where members of the crowd are cheering, drumming, and dancing. (The flashing lights end :10 seconds into the video.)

Note: At least one report indicates that the drone seen over the demonstration may have belonged to a live-streamer and not law enforcement.

Just before 10:10 pm, law enforcement officers declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 11:15 pm, additional officers arrived from the east, perpendicular to where protesters stood facing the north precinct and began dispersing the demonstration.

At about 11:40 pm, protesters marched through Portland Community College – Cascade, which provided some cover for them from officers.

At about 12:40 am, some protesters got back to the north precinct.

Media

Present

Articles

ABC News

Hate crime victim arrested at protest won’t be prosecuted

The Columbian

Hate crime victim’s arrest fuels anger at Portland protests

KATU

It’s ‘about our peace’, says community activist arrested at Portland protest

KGW

Protesters gather in Alberta Park, march to North Precinct as demonstrations continue in Portland

KOIN

Night 74: ‘Dangerous objects’ launched, 9 arrests

N Portland residents, businesses concerned by protests at doorstep

OPB

Man seen in area of homemade explosive at Portland protest ID’ed as ex-Navy SEAL

Multnomah County DA declines charges against Demetria Hester

The Oregonian

Demetria Hester urges protesters to ‘do your part’ as charges dismissed after arrest

Movement to disarm Portland State police gains new prominence amid renewed activism (Subscriber Exclusive)

Portland protesters to gather in NE Portland for 75th day of demonstrations Monday (live updates)

The Portland Mercury

Good Afternoon, News: Special Election Tomorrow, Cops Ramp Up Protester Arrests, and Barr Calls BLM “Fascists”

National Black Lives Matter Organizers Throw Support Behind Portland Protests

USA Today

Dismantle the Department of Homeland Security. Its tactics are fearsome: ACLU director

The Washington Post

No strings, no bureaucracy, but suddenly $1.4 million to help a Black community

Portland protesters rally as arrest of activist draws ire

Unrest in Chicago and Portland shows America’s summer of protest is far from over

We Out Here Magazine

STAY FOR THE REVOLUTION

Willamette Week

Tusitala “Tiny” Toese’s Probation Officer Asks Judge to Revoke His Probation and Sentence Him to One Year in Custody

Police

Agencies Present

  • Oregon State Police
  • Portland Police Union

Munitions

  • flash bangs

Arrests

9

Charges

Reckless Driving, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Resist Arrest, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree 

Protests for August 9

Posted on by sal

Summary

On the evening of August 9th, protesters gathered at Kenton Park in North Portland. Around 9:30 pm, approximately 150 protesters left the park and marched to The Portland Police Association (PPA) building. Less than 15 minutes after arriving, The Portland Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Up to that point protesters had been seen chanting and playing drums in front of the building and setting one small fire that quickly put itself out. Around 15 minutes after declaring the unlawful assembly, Portland Police declared the gathering a riot while simultaneously officers had already begun pushing protesters out of the area in a riot line.

Officers continued to disperse protesters using flash bangs, pepper balls and by running at protesters from behind and arresting some, and the already relatively small group was quickly split up throughout the area. Some protesters eventually made their way back to the PPA, where they were quickly subjected to dispersal and mass arrests once again. At about 11:45 pm, officers left the area and the few protesters left in front of the PPA building. By 1 am, protester numbers had dwindled and the night ended.

After events in North Portland ended, members of the community went downtown to the Justice Center to do jail support for the many protesters who were arrested during the brief demonstration.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Protesters gathered at Kenton Park in North Portland.

Just after 9:30 pm, protesters departed from Kenton Park and began marching.

At about 9:45 pm, protesters arrived at The Portland Police Association (PPA) building.

At 9:55 pm, Portland Police (PPB) declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Just after 10:10 pm, PPB officers rushed protesters blocks away from the PPA building.

Around the same time, PPB declared the gathering a riot, less than half an hour after protesters arrived in the area.

Law enforcement officers drove through Kenton Park chasing down protesters.

At the 00:17 second mark, journalist Laura Jedeed is seen wearing a high-visibility vest being pushed by an officer. Laura’s own footage of the moment is directly below this footage by @PDocumentarians.

A separate group of protesters were still being dispersed by officers on foot elsewhere.

One reporter went to the Justice Center, where most demonstrations had been held almost every night prior to the last few days.

A small group of protesters made their way back to the PPA.

Officers began making mass arrests of protesters that had returned to the PPA building.

A member of the press was arrested, seen below:

The journalists at 45th Parallel Absurdist Brigade provided a summary of events for the night from the ground, the first installment of which is below (click on the tweet to see the full thread):

Downtown in the area around the Justice Center, some protesters were arrested and reportedly held in a van for an extended period of time despite telling arresting officers that their gas masks made it difficult for them to breathe in the confined space.

Media

Present

Articles

ABC News

Riot swiftly declared for Portland protest at union building

CBS News

Riot declared in Portland for second night in row

KOIN

Night 73: Demonstrators organize in North Portland

KGW

Protesters gather in North Portland as nightly demonstrations continue

NPR

Portland Protesters Return Their Attention To The Local Police Force

OPB

As nightly conflicts in Portland draw headlines, reforms gradually advance

Portland police arrest hate crime survivor Demetria Hester during Sunday protest

Note on the above article “Portland police arrest…”: the author of the article appears to have used footage that captured Demetria Hester’s arrest from photojournalist Clementson Supriyadi without their permission.

The Oregonian

Demetria Hester, Black activist and hate crime victim, among 16 arrested in Portland protest

Neighbors end up splashed in paint after confronting protesters vandalizing police building in East Portland

Portland police declare riot Sunday after small crowd marches on police union

Portland Mercury

Good Morning, News: Portland Police Stifle Protests, Special Session 2.0, and Trump’s Weak COVID-19 Relief

Time

Portland Medics Arrested and Injured in Protests Say They Were Specifically Targeted by Police and Federal Agents

The Washington Post

Portland police arrest a hate crime survivor and Wall of Moms organizer in crackdown

Willamette Week

Amid Nightly Protests, Pipe Bombs Explode in Laurelhurst Park

Police

Agencies Present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Oregon State Police

Munitions

  • flash bangs
  • pepper balls

Arrests

16

Charges

Riot, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with a Peace Officer 

Protests for August 8

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Saturday, a youth-led neighborhood protest held speeches and marched through the Lents neighborhood. Downtown, a large religious rally with anti-mask messages drew BLM counter-protesters. In the evening, protesters gathered at Peninsula Park in north Portland for speeches, then marched to the Portland Police Association building.

When they arrived, protesters built barricades to block traffic from driving through the street where people were standing. At approximately 11:37 PM, the Portland Police announced an unlawful gathering over the LRAD. Shortly after, a fire was set inside the PPA office. At this point, the police declared a riot and pushed protesters to the north up Denver Ave. More barricades were formed, and the next push drove protesters to Kenton Park. The riot line held while protesters danced to “I Will Survive”, then the police retreated, firing more smoke and impact munitions. Protesters returned to the PPA building and were again pushed back through neighborhood streets. The groups of protesters continued to be split up, as more arrests were made, and some marched on while others returned again to the PPA building. This pattern continued with increasingly smaller groups until past 2 AM.

At least one legal observer was arrested, and members of the press were injured by munitions.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Starting out today with an afternoon rally and march in East Portland:

At Waterfront Park this evening, there’s an anti-mask religious rally, and Black Lives Matter counter-protesters:

The Peninsula Park event is setting up, and there’s pizza ?

The event begins with speeches:

Interlude before the march:

The march is starting!

The march arrives at the Portland Police Association:

Dumpster s’mores?

An unlawful assembly was declared at about 11:37 PM:

Protesters appear to have started a fire in the PPA offices:

At about 11:41 PM, a riot was declared:

Injured reporter:

Another press injury (from other comments I think this is @econbrkfst, who documents munitions):

After regrouping at Kenton Park, protesters are headed back:

Police slashed the Snack Van tires yet again:

A group has gotten separated and is still marching:

A few protesters are back at the PPA:

The group that was marching is now 4 blocks north of the PPA:

Flashing lights in the video that follows:

CW for transphobia:

Arrests appear to have continued as smaller groups continued to protest past 2 AM.

Media

Present

Articles

The Oregonian

Washington Post

Trump sent agents to quell unrest. But protest is what Portland does best.

Willamette Week

Most Oregonians Agree Police Departments Have a Problem but Are Split Between Reform and Radical Change

Police

Agencies present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Oregon State Police

Munitions used

  • Impact munitions
  • Smoke
  • Pepper spray

Number of arrests

PPB: nine

Charges

  • Interfering with a Peace Officer
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree 
  • Riot
  • Resist Arrest
  • Escape in the Third Degree 
  • Unlawful Directing of Light From a Laser Pointer
  • Assaulting a Public Safety Officer
  • Attempted Assaulting a Public Safety Officer

Protests for August 7

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Friday night, about 200 protesters marched from Laurelhurst Park to the East Multnomah County Sheriffs Office / SE Precinct. They carried new shields with a Black Lives Matter fist stenciled on the front. Upon arriving, the LRAD made announcements about trespassing on the property. As protesters faced the building and chanted, at 9:46 PM the police declared the protest to be an illegal assembly. After this, a press photographer in front of the line of shields was arrested.

The police began making announcements on the LRAD and Twitter about protesters removing materials from a retaining wall and throwing them at the police. Multiple reporters verified that this claim was false. The night progressed uneventfully, aside from two arrests of people who walked toward the building and a burst of throwing eggs and apples at the cops around 12:15 AM. Just before 1 AM someone lit off a firework, and riot cops came out and pushed the protest into the surrounding neighborhood, using flash bang grenades and impact munitions. Groups of protesters reformed and the cops held a line at different intersections before retreating, with most protesters dispersing by 2:30 AM.

Upon returning to Laurelhurst Park, a group of protesters had explosive devices thrown at them, a set of small pipe bombs. No one was injured and the people who threw them have not yet been identified.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Tonight protesters will be marching from Laurelhurst Park, to an undisclosed location (but it’s probably the Penumbra Kelly Building, aka the East Multnomah County Sheriffs Office (EMSCO) and SE Portland Precinct, where protests have happened several times in recent weeks).

There are many shields on hand for tonight’s action:

While we’re waiting for things to start, here’s a cool replacement elk statue someone has installed downtown:

The SE march is starting off:

The LRAD is already warmed up:

9:46 PM and they’re already calling it an illegal assembly:

An arrest:

A look at the overall scene here on East Burnside:

Clergy are here:

Snack van is here:

Attempting to make sense of the announcements:

With so many press out there, you figure something like this wouldn’t go unnoticed:

As the police continue to announce ridiculous things about objects being thrown and their risk of injury, reporters are checking the scene again:

A test?

A second arrest:

Another arrest:

Calm-ish:

LRAD picks back up:

So then people throw food products:

Then that settles down and people resume what they were doing before:

Someone lights a firework:

The police make a push at about 1 AM, after three hours of LRAD announcements:

CW: violent arrest

On dispersing, some protesters returned to Laurelhurst Park where they encountered what appear to be pipe bombs:

There are videos of a person who may have thrown the bombs, but no other information is available right now.

Media

Present

Articles

Gizmodo

U.S. Agencies Sued for Records of Unmarked Agents Who Rounded Up Portland Protesters

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Hall Monitor: Fair Weather Wheeler

Rolling Stone

Who Won the Battle of Portland?

Willamette Week

Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Disputes Mayor’s Assertion That Disbanding the Gun Violence Reduction Team Caused a Spike in Shootings

Police

Agencies present

  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions used

  • Smoke
  • Impact munitions
  • Pepper spray
  • Flash bangs

Number of arrests

PPB: 24

Charges

  • Interfering with a Police Officer
  • Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree
  • Resist Arrest
  • Assaulting a Public Safety Officer 
  • Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree 
  • Riot
  • Unlawful Directing of Light from a Laser Pointer
  • Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle 
  • Assault in the Second Degree

Protests for August 6

Posted on by audrey

Summary

On Thursday night, protesters returned to East Portland and the precinct on SE 106th Ave. Hours before, the Portland Police Bureau posted on Twitter that they were aware of the protest announcement and it “will not go unanswered”. As protesters gathered at Floyd Light Park near the precinct, a small counter-demonstration shared their views of the protests and policing. Police encouraged this group to leave before the march arrived. As the Wall of Vets formed a line in front of the building, other demonstrators threw paint on the plywood covering the building entrance and lit a small fire in a trash can, which led to verbal confrontations with two elderly neighborhood residents.

At about 9:50 PM the police made an announcement on the LRAD that the protest was now an illegal assembly. Protesters were ordered to go north, but since the LRAD truck was also parked in that direction, people remained where they were. Around 10:20 PM, riot police arrived to disperse the protest. They rushed the crowd, forcing them to the north and east at a rapid pace that reporters struggled to keep up with or film effectively. Police also slashed the tires on the Snack Van, which was slowly following the protesters in the ordered direction of dispersal.

After pushing to SE 113th, the police held a line on SE Stark, then retreated, firing smoke canisters. Protesters followed them, returning to the precinct. Police rushed the protesters again, splitting them into multiple groups to the north and east. As people returned back to the protest origin, they were rushed again, with one group being chased through the nearby shopping center parking lots. These patterns of dispersal continued until about 12:30 AM, when the police made an announcement that the area from SE 106th Ave from SE Washington St to SE Cherry Blossom St was closed, citing a law intended for life-safety situations such as bomb threats and major disasters. In contradiction of that law, they also announced that press could be arrested for remaining in the closed area.

Smaller groups of protesters remained in the area, with most activity dropping off after 2 AM.

Scheduled Events

Timeline

Having a look around before tonight’s scheduled protest at the East Precinct, a follow-up to what happened last night:

Earlier today, the Portland Police Bureau made a baffling choice to call out the PNW Youth Liberation Front, which is made up of teenage activists, for sharing information about the protest:

Because of the impact of last night’s police action, activists have organized outreach and supply distributions for neighbors who may be at risk of being exposed to tear gas again:

The increased attention has also brought out some counter-protesters:

The BLM protest is warming up:

The Wall of Vets is lined up outside the East Precinct:

First LRAD announcement at 9:44 PM:

On hearing that announcement, the vets check their safety gear:

Paint has been splashed on the building:

Just after 9:50 PM an unlawful assembly is declared:

Someone has busted up a surveillance camera:

The order to go north seems a little questionable:

Now a trash fire:

Surveillance continues:

No sign that people intend to disperse:

Quick recap:

And the riot cops are out:

Ventura Park is half a mile from the precinct. Only about 10 minutes have passed since the push started.

The police have blocked off SE Stark:

Somehow the LRAD truck got a flat tire (the Snack Van tires were slashed again – all four! – by the riot cops):

Another push:

I think this is a new tactic tonight:

It sounds like groups have gotten split up a little, but this is north of the precinct past a major arterial:

Police continue to interfere with the press:

More pushes:

The East Precinct is in a weird spot next to a defunct mall, some other strip malls, a divided arterial, and a twisty maze of residential streets, so there are a lot of ways to get separated or turned around.

Let’s have a look at happened to those police cars’ tires (note that we don’t have any independent confirmation that these caltrops were used):

Police chasing protesters and press through the Target parking lot:

Back at the East Precinct:

And pushed to SE 106th and Washington (just north of the precinct):

Then the police announce they’re closing this area and will arrest people who don’t leave, including press:

This is what they’re citing:

But they’re ignoring the rest of what that law says:

Multiple reports of the police destroying or stealing medical supplies:

Another push (north on SE 106th):

Most people seem to have left at this point:

Media

Present

Articles

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Tribune

Portland Police declare unlawful assembly at East Precinct

The Washington Post

Chad Wolf defends Trump administration’s Portland protest response

Willamette Week

Police

Agencies present

  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Oregon State Police

Munitions used

  • Pepper balls
  • Smoke
  • Pepper spray

Number of arrests

PPB: 13

Charges

  • Interfering with a Police Officer
  • Harassment
  • Riot
  • Escape III
  • Criminal Mischief I
  • Disorderly Conduct II
  • Resist Arrest