January 5, 2021 Protest – Solidarity with Kenosha

Summary

The District Attorney in Kenosha, Wisconsin announced today that no charges would be brought against the police officer who shot and permanently paralyzed Jacob Blake in front of his children. In response, Portland held a protest in solidarity with Kenosha. This demonstration began at Peninsula Park, the location from which protesters marched to the Portland Police North Precinct. The 100 or so protesters stood outside the precinct chanting, and a small shield line endeavored to slowly move their way up the North Precinct driveway.

The initial appearance of police in front of the precinct was prompted by protesters moving a fence that was around the building, which officers came out to readjust. Officers then came out two more times during the demonstration and conducted targeted arrests, including at least two members of press, and assaulted protesters and press alike. After a night of being chased, arrested, and assaulted by riot officers, but few to no munitions deployed, the demonstration ended by around midnight.

Timeline

Protesters gather at Peninsula Park for a demonstration in solidarity with Kenosha after the announcement today that the officer who shot and paralyzed Jacob Blake would not face charges.

Protesters arrive in front of the Portland Police North Precinct just before 9:30 pm.

*FLASH WARNING: The footage below contains a rapidly flashing light.*
Video Description: A group of approximately 13 officers wearing riot gear move a metal fence back into place after it was moved by protesters. Off-screen, protesters can be heard shouting profanities at the officers

Upon emerging from the precinct a second time, Portland Police conduct several arrests including one individual marked clearly as press.

An officer grabs and smashes the camera of Dr. Juniper Simonis, researcher and member of the press, continuing their trend of assaulting/arresting press tonight.

The demonstration comes to an end by midnight.

Sean Bascom, the journalist arrested in Justin Yau’s footage above, marks that he is out of police custody less than an hour after being detained.

Media Present

Police

Agencies Present

Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

None

Arrests

  • Resulting in Citation: 2
  • Resulting in Booking into Jail: 2

Charges

  • Trespassing
  • Interfering with a Peace Officer 
  • Disorderly Conduct II
  • Attempt Criminal Mischief II 

News for the week of January 4, 2021

General News

The Guardian

Prosecutors clear white police officer over Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha – video

The New York Times

Justice Dept. Seeks to Pare Back Civil Rights Protections for Minorities

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

Far-right Extremism

Buzzfeed News

The Leader Of The Proud Boys Was Arrested In The Burning Of A “Black Lives Matter” Banner

Cocktails & Calamity

Portland Riot Journalist Explains the Proud Boys [and Their Strange 4 Step Initiation Process) (Youtube Video)

Courthouse News Service

Video Shows Oregon Lawmaker Letting Protesters Inside State Capitol

The Hill

It’s Going Down

This Week In Fascism #90: Proud Boy Leader Arrested As DC Prepares For Another Neo-Fascist Rally

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Neo-Nazis, QAnon and Camp Auschwitz: A guide to the hate symbols and signs on display at the Capitol riots

OPB

The Oregonian

Politico

MAGA activists plot revenge on Republican ‘traitors’

Portland Mercury

Willamette Week

“We’re Not Going Home!” Proud Boys and Pro-Trump Protesters Fight Leftists and Police Outside Oregon Capitol

Houselessness

Willamette Week

Black Residents of Multnomah County Face a Greater Risk of Homelessness

Incarceration

It’s Going Down

Political Prisoners And Prison Rebel Birthdays For January

The Oregonian

Law Enforcement

OPB

The Oregonian

Cleaning crew left holding cell open, allowing man wanted in cop attack to escape, Portland police say

Willamette Week

Portland Police Say COVID-19 Cleaning Crew Allowed Attempted Murder Suspect’s Escape From Custody

Washington D.C. Far Right Coup

Al Jazeera

The Atlantic

Bellingcat

The Journey of Ashli Babbitt

CNN

DC police made far more arrests at the height of Black Lives Matter protests than during the Capitol clash

The Hill

Medium

I Lived Through A Stupid Coup. America Is Having One Now

NBC

FBI, NYPD told Capitol Police about possibility of violence before riot, senior officials say

The New York Times

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

The Washington Post

WBHM

One Alabamian Dies During Siege At U.S. Capitol

December 31 Protest – New Years Noise-Making Event

Summary

Despite the coming of the new year, tonight’s protest looked straight out of Portland’s summer season. Protesters were back at the Justice Center in numbers for the first time in a long time (not counting the Remember Wounded Knee memorial a few days ago, which started at the Justice Center but then moved to ICE), and it seems some time off has reinvigorated the community. Protesters began the night with speeches, fireworks, and setting several items on fire including a crosswalk light and a plastic dumpster.

The fires prompted an announcement from the Portland Police LRAD that the gathering was declared an unlawful assembly and, minutes later, a riot. Shortly after, Portland Police arrived and were able to push protesters a few blocks before they began throwing bottles and fireworks at officers. After being pushed back to the Justice Center by protesters, reinforcements from Homeland Security and Multnomah County Sheriff’s arrive. The joint forces managed to push protesters back a few blocks once again, bull rushing and causing injury to protesters at least once, before withdrawing at midnight. Protesters took the opportunity to move away from the Justice Center and migrated towards the Pioneer Square area, where some took to smashing windows and at least one store was reportedly looted. A small group of police officers came to the area to disperse protesters, but the night ended not long after.

Timeline

The New Years protest demonstration begins at the Justice Center in Downtown Portland.

A small fire has been set behind the fence surrounding the federal courthouse.

Just before 10:45 pm, Portland Police declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.

The dumpster that was lit on fire does not handle it well.

Minutes later, at about 10:50 pm Portland Police declare the gathering a riot.

Officers in riot gear arrive just before 11:15 pm.

After pushing protesters about one block west, officers retreat.

Homeland Security (DHS) officers then arrive to confront protesters.

In the footage below, protesters are seen being shoved to the ground from behind by sprinting police officers.

A group of protesters move to the Pioneer Square area, a few blocks from the Justice Center and federal courthouse, where windows are smashed.

Media Present

Police

Agencies Present

  • Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service
  • Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
  • Portland Police Bureau

Munitions

  • mace
  • pepper balls
  • smoke
  • tear gas

Arrests

Arrests reported, numbers not available

Charges

Not available as of 1/1

December 29 Protest – Remember Wounded Knee

Timeline

On the 130th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre, protesters begin a remembrance demonstration in front of the Justice Center downtown.

Protesters then move to the ICE facility in Southwest Portland.

Just before 10 pm federal officers make an announcement to protesters over their loudspeakers warning that those who trespass on federal property are subject to arrest.

A line of officers come out to stand in front of protesters but quickly go back inside the facility after a few minutes.

Around 11:05 pm federal officers reemerge and appear to make a targeted arrest.

The individual who was arrested is promptly released.

Officers rush out once again to confront a group of about 5 protesters.

Media Present

Police

Agencies Present

Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service

Munitions Deployed

pepper bullets

News for the week of December 28

Protest News

Daily Beast

Proud Boys Are at War With Their Female Extremist Wing

It’s Going Down

Native News Online

Wounded Knee Massacre 130 Years Ago: We Remember Those Lost

The New Republic

The Year When Everyone Bullied Their Mayor

The New York Times

NPR

Justice Department Declines To Prosecute Cleveland Officers In Death Of Tamir Rice

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Guest Editorial: What’s a New Year?

Portland Tribune

Portland protests will keep heat on in 2021, observers say

Willamette Week

Environmental Impact

Dr. Juniper L Simonis (@JuniperLSimonis) went through some of the storm drains in Portland today, January 3rd, looking for munitions that have been used by the police during the protests. They invited press to come along to document their findings; journalist Laura Jedeed (@LauraJedeed) has a very informative Twitter thread here.

Eviction Defense

The Oregonian

Property next to ‘red house’ on Mississippi may be donated to nonprofit serving Black Portlanders

Portland Tribune

Lot next to Red House on Mississippi will be donated

ICE

It’s Going Down

ICE Detainees In New Jersey Go On Hunger Strike In Demand For Freedom

Incarceration

It’s Going Down

OPB

Another inmate dies as Oregon Department of Corrections begins COVID-19 vaccinations

Willamette Week

Oregon Prisons Begin Vaccinating Staff Against COVID-19

Law Enforcement

Portland Mercury

The Year in Review: Portland Police Have Used Force Against Protesters More Than 6,000 Times in 2020

Portland Tribune

Police reform will move forward in 2021

The Washington Post

Trump policing commission calls for independent probes of officer shootings, more technology use

Presidential Election

The Atlantic

Trump Crosses a Bright Red Line

The Hill

Bipartisan group of senators: The election is over

NPR

‘This Was A Scam’: In Recorded Call, Trump Pushed Official To Overturn Georgia Vote

The Oregonian

Ted Cruz, 10 more GOP senators join Donald Trump in effort to overturn election

December 26 Protest – Remembering the Dakota 38

Timeline

Community members gather in Downtown Portland for a memorial service on the 158th anniversary of the Dakota mass hanging.

The Abraham Lincoln Statue mentioned below was pulled down by activists in October on Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage; the pedestal still remains in the park.

The memorial comes to an end around 8:45 pm.

Some context and images of the memorial:

Media Present

Police

Agencies Present

None

News for the week of December 21

Protest News

Crimethinc

Washington Prosecutors Refuse to Charge Far-Right Shooter

The Hill

Police investigate after bust of Breonna Taylor was smashed into pieces

It’s Going Down

KOIN

The Olympian

Thurston prosecutors decline to charge Bellingham man accused of shooting at protest near Capitol

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Portland Tribune

Vice

Willamette Week

Hate Crimes

The Atlantic

The People vs. Hate

Portland Mercury

The Year in Review: Jeremy Christian Has Been Found Guilty on All 12 Charges for 2017 MAX Stabbings

Houselessness

The Oregonian

ICE

NPR

Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody

Incarceration

OPB

The power has been out at Oregon’s Two Rivers prisons for nearly 1 week, amid surge in COVID-19

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Vice

Trump Is Executing 3 More People Before He Leaves Office. Here Are Their Stories.

Law Enforcement

New York Times

How Cities Lost Control of Police Discipline

OPB

Oregon State University’s new police department begins next week, some campus members still oppose it

Portland Mercury

The Year in Review: Portland City Council Approves 3% Reduction in Police Budget

Portland Tribune

Citing hostility, Portland police leaving mid-career

December 19 Protest – Abolish ICE

Protesters gather at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Southwest Portland.

Timeline

The demonstration begins just before 9 pm.

Federal officers (DHS) make an announcement over their loudspeakers.

One arrest is made by federal officers.

Around 10:25 pm, federal officers declare the gathering a riot.

Around 10:45 pm federal officers rush protesters and make another arrest.

Media Present

Melissa “Claudio” Lewis – Cashapp: $ClaudioReport / Venmo: Claudio_Report

Police

Agencies Present

Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service

Munitions

None

Arrests

No information from DHS, 2 reported by journalist on the ground

Charges

No information

News for the week of December 14

We’re going to be trying a new format to better represent what’s happening, with fewer protests taking place throughout the week. Each Monday we’ll start a news round-up by category, still focusing on the topics of racial justice, policing, and protests. Individual protests and actions will get their own post for the day. You can let us know what you think by tagging @ameschright on Twitter.

Protest News

Double Sided Media

UPDATED: EPD Officers Shoot Black Man, Department Struggles to Keep Story Straight

It’s Going Down

The New York Times

America, We Have a Problem

OPB

The Oregonian

’They’re shooting at me,’ Kevin E. Peterson Jr. tells girlfriend as he flees police in drug sting

Reuters

U.S. whistleblower was pressed to exaggerate leftist role in urban protests, lawyer says

Uprising

Episode 4 of this amazing news podcast is available now. Robert Evans is joined by an excellent crew of reporters who have been on the ground here to explain what happened in Portland, and why.

Willamette Week

Hate Crimes

The Oregonian

Jeremy Christian appeals his conviction for double murders on a Portland MAX train

I.C.E.

Daily Kos

Asylum-seeking families still jailed by ICE face double threats of virus, deportation

Incarceration

Daily Kos

New Warren report calls out ‘corrupt’ accreditation of nation’s prisons

OPB

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Oregon Inmate Dies of COVID-19 Two Days Before His Release

Patch

As Coronavirus Surges In WA Prisons, Advocates Call For Action

Law Enforcement

OPB

The Oregonian

Portland Mercury

Portlanders Question Police Priorities As 911 Response Times Lag

Racial Justice

Boston Globe

Governor Baker, regulating facial recognition technology is a racial justice issue

OPB

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Oregon Nurse Danaya Hall Knows Why COVID-19 Is Disproportionately Killing Black People

Red House Eviction Defense

OPB

Kinney family may be able to buy back Red House

The Oregonian

Willamette Week

Protests for December 13

Timeline

Early in the day an announcement goes out that the Kinney family, residents of the Red House, have negotiated with the city to remove the barricades around the house in exchange for a moratorium on their eviction.

The Red House calls on volunteers to come help clear the barricades.

Media

Present

Articles

Daily Kos

OPB

The Oregonian

The Skanner