Night 78: PPB declares unlawful assembly in North Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Police declared an unlawful assembly in North Portland Friday on the 78th consecutive night of marches and demonstrations for Black Lives Matter. The confrontation happened near Peninsula Park, where protesters first organized for the night, after police said some people in the crowd threw things such as “paint bombs” at officers.
Night 77: Peaceful march, quiet Justice Center group
Similar to Thursday, the protest was planned at Peninsula Park in North Portland for 8 p.m. with a march that followed an hour later. As usual, the destination of the march isn’t determined until people gathered at the park. The Peninsula Park event was promoted on Twitter by the group Pacific Northwest Youth Liberation Front, who wrote “F— your peace policing. Let people be angry.”
Around 9:30 p.m., roughly one hundred people set off on the nightly march. Protesters did not march far before a police presence emerged.
At 10:18 p.m. Portland police declared an unlawful assembly for protesters in the area of Mississippi and Killingsworth, saying that people in the crowd threw “paint bombs and other projectiles.”
People reconvened near Peninsula Park. A dumpster was set on fire in the intersection of N Rosa Parks Way and N Albina Avenue.
Police continued to disperse the crowd north of the park.
Protesters continued to regroup in North Portland. By 11 p.m. a large group had started marching east on N Lombard Street. People occupied the roadway. Police were not far behind— officers could be heard shouting, “Keep moving, keep moving press.” Protesters were pushed down sidestreets at NE Rodney onto NE Stafford.
Protesters again circled back and by 11:45 p.m. had regrouped to march west on N Lombard. Police and protesters came face to face in the blocks between N Mississippi Ave and N Albina Ave where officers again told people to get out of the roadway or be subject to arrest and use of force.
Earlier Friday a Black youth-led Fridays 4 Freedom Car Wash was held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Northwest Portland from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds for the $10 suggested donations went toward one of the youth leader’s fund for entering the Miss Black International Ambassador Pageant.
Thursday
A peaceful march through nearby North Portland streets started and ended at Peninsula Park Thursday evening. It was put on by the group Black Unity PDX and in the name of raising awareness of mental health issues within the Black Community. There speeches, music and snacks provided at the park.
There were also gatherings across the river at Jamison Square and the Multnomah County Justice Center, which were also peaceful.
Earlier Thursday, Oregon State Police announced they would be pulling out of protecting the Hatfield Federal Courthouse largely because they aren’t happy with the decision of the Multnomah County District Attorney to not prosecute most of those arrested.
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