Hi, it's @1misanthrophile live from the Justice Center! Switching from live-tweeting on my own account to tweeting over here. As the sun sets and the fences go down, the mood begins to change. What does tonight have in store?

#PortlandProtests
#PDXprotest https://twitter.com/1misanthrophile/status/1284317382865858560?s=19

The Hardesty event has wrapped up and the crowd shifts. Some of the less regular participants--the families in jeans and t-shirts--mill about. Some of them leave

An activist begs them to stay. "When you leave, you put me at risk!"

They're not wrong

- @1misanthrophile

As hip hop plays I've the speakers by the JC, the activist leads people in chanting the names by the ex-Elk

Meanwhile, a tiny fire in Chapman keeps us warm while the sun sets

- @1misanthrophile

The LRAD has just informed us that Chapman and Lownsdale are closed and to leave

My efficiency at donning goggles has, if I may say so, become impressive

- @1misanthrophile

As the LRAD continues to tell us to leave or else, a group chants by the elk and hip hop plays over the sound system used by the speakers earlier

I cannot emphasize enough how much criminal activity is not taking place

- @1misanthrophile

A robust fence barrier at 3rd and Madison

- @1misanthrophile

Fed line forming up on 2nd and Main

"It's not too late to miss the Nuremberg Trials!"

" Your goose step is terrible!"

- @1misanthrophile

Note the gas ladle

- @1misanthrophile

The feds have gassed 3rd and Main. Maced people. The gas ladle has returned

- @1misanthrophile

Chemical foreplay

- @1misanthrophile

The protest moves out of the now-toxic park up Main Street. Drivers blinded with tear gas attempt to negotiate the roads

A lot of people here came for the earlier event, I think. They aren't used to this treatment

- @1misanthrophile

Didn't get a chance to post this noble knight earlier but here's something cheerful between the last shit and whatever horrible thing happens next

The crowd moves west. It's worth noting that we weren't told where to disperse or even given warning

Because, you know. Feds

- @1misanthrophile

"Shout out to all the new people!"

Seriously, new people: welcome to the tear gas club. They didn't even try to wait until you went home. They wanted to make sure you felt this

Because they no longer give a fuck about PR

This does not bode well for the future

Getting nostalgic for PKAZ as we hang out at our boy Ted's house. The group has thinned out: maybe 100 people here. No signs of the cops yet

I hear most people are at JC, and we might find out. I'll keep you posted!

- @1misanthrophile

Marching down the streets, screaming "WAKE UP" in time to the drums

"I saw you turn your lights off!! See you at the revolution!"

- @1misanthrophile

Omg for the first time since these protests began the crowd screamed "join us!" at someone AND THEY NODDED AND JOINED US!!!

- @1misanthrophile

I just realized that I take it totally for granted now that these marches go smoothly. Even pace, hand signals, most people well-equipped

- @1misanthrophile

"Ambulance coming!"

The crowd immediately gets out of the way

- @1misanthrophile

The comforting smoke of @riotribs. The faint tang of lingering gas. Fences in roads and people in parks

We're back at the JC, baby!

- @1misanthrophile

HUGE group here. I'm bad at numbers but well north of 500

Congregating at 3rd and Main, between the District Courthouse and the JC. Wonder who we'll get this time

(My money's on the feds again)

- @1misanthrophile

Activists try to distribute shields to the people willing and able to carry them on the front lines

Everyone knows what time it is. No chanting. No actions or graffiti. Just waiting

We know they're coming. The only question is when

- @1misanthrophile

It saddens me to inform you that the preacher is back. It seems God sent him. God, if you follow DefendPDX: please come get your boy

- @1misanthrophile

District Court shenanigans

If anyone bet against my fed prediction earlier get your wallet out

- @1misanthrophile

While we wait for the feds to fuck us up here are some signs

And away we go!

#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile

The feds murderhole closes

And then this happens! The fence blocks the murder hole, making it far harder to hurl gas. Protesters quickly grab sandbags to brace the barricade

- @1misanthrophile

True confessions: not a huge Rage Against the Machine fan

But FUCK is it hitting good right now

This is incredible

- @1misanthrophile

We have an LRAD announcement from the JC. Can't make out the words but does it really matter? We all know what it's mean s

- @1misanthrophile

Probably they were trying to lure us away from the District Courthouse and unfortunately it was partially successful

- @1misanthrophile

(I say unfortunately because it will be far easier for the feds to emerge now)

LRAD again. There is criminal behavior. Non-criminals told to leave or be subject to use of force, "including but not limited to..."

My friend points out that this is new wording

- @1misanthrophile

A strangely serene moment in the midst of chaos

- @1misanthrophile

At 3rd and Madison. Braced for impact

Protesters move the fence into one thick barricade. But a lot of us are in front of it

- @1misanthrophile

Fireworks overhead. Two weeks ago the loud noise bothered me. Reminded me of flash bang. Tonight? It's beautiful. There's defiance in the air. They'll have to fight for every inch tonight

- @1misanthrophile

A first for me: messing with the federal building to the south of the courthouse

Shield line

#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile

A PPB officer cautiously opens the door, kicks the fence leaning against the JC side door, and retreats instantly. Protesters replace it, and a moment later they kick it over again. Protesters brace but again, instant retreat

Fear?

It's a big group

- @1misanthrophile

Abruptly, billowing purple smoke obscures the door. The drums reach a fever pitch as we wait for them to emerge but they do not. Big group. Riled up. I think maybe they don't want any of this

More smoke

- @1misanthrophile

2 huge fireworks expose directly against the side door. Cheering

No response yet but it won't be long now

- @1misanthrophile

Holy fuck y'all. Fence directly against the door, then a fence barrier just outside. Rage Against the Machine playing again. You love to see it

- @1misanthrophile

"No Justice, No Peace!!"

#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile

LRAD has instructed the crowd to stop barricading the doors. Nog a single fuck given. I don't think I've seen this few fucks since the protest began

It's not because they don't k ow the stakes

It's because the world needs to see exactly what's happening here

- @1misanthrophile

Because they're disappearing people. Because the head of the PPA met with the DHS secretary without the police chief. Because Trump's private army is here

Because it's time to take a stand

Because, in the words
of RATM:

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

- @1misanthrophile

Caution

- @1misanthrophile

Part of the crowd begins to drift down to First and Madison for no good reason. We were much stronger when we were raging against the Justice Center

"This is how they get us," a friend comments and yet here we are

- @1misanthrophile

I am receiving credible reports that some people just led that 1st Street group to "get more barricade materials" and then tried to lead them across the bridge

That is so June. No one fell for it

- @1misanthrophile

This attempted swoop, combined with a single explosion that may or may not have been flash bang, has brought the group to its senses. Back at 3rd and Madison. Tight

I really do think the cops might be scared

- @1misanthrophile

I would like to clarify that earlier when I said that fucking with the federal building was a "first for me," I meant that it was the first time I have seen it and not that I personally fucked with said building

- @1misanthrophile

An activist tells everyone to be careful walking away after this. Not to go on the bridge. If you get arrested, don't say anything other than that you invoke your right to remain silent

NLG writing numbers on arms

- @1misanthrophile

Fences moving down Madison. We're splittong up again but at least barricades are going up? I dunno

Rumors swirling. National guard. Strykers inbound. I do not believe this

Next week maybe

- @1misanthrophile

Barricades rise on 2nd and Madison. Crowd begins to migrate to this new point

"Be mindful that you're blocking yourself in. Know where you're going to go"

- @1misanthrophile

We got some parking garage cops

- @1misanthrophile

Unlawful assembly declared

"You have five minutes to remove all barricades and leave the area"

Even if the protesters were inclined to do this--which they are not--this would be impossible

- @1misanthrophile

Immediately we are told we have four minutes

Y'all we are about to get fucked up

- @1misanthrophile

Columbia to Taylor, 1st through 6th declared closed

- @1misanthrophile

One minute warning declared.. Instantly, two protesters begin to count down the seconds

Meanwhile, others begin obeying the command to dismantle the barricades and move them

They move them to 1st and Madison

- @1misanthrophile

Feds scattered us. I got shot in the leg with something wet, I'm ok

Got some hellish footage for later

Facing down a line of them, 3rd and Taylor

- @1misanthrophile

I just found out what the wet thing I got shot with was

I am wearing a press badge and a yellow press vest

#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile

#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile

The feds have retreated, leaving a line of what I assume are PPB. They look so much less scary than they did to me at the beginning of this exercise

- @1misanthrophile

They are retreating

- @1misanthrophile

Welp, I'm bleeding and it's 2 so I'm gonna call it a night

Solidarity to all you magnificent bastards still out here

- @1misanthrophile