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I was planning to take tonight off to actually ~write a story~ (can you believe?) but @MrOlmos told me that I gotta come down and see this big crowd.
Folks..... it’s a big crowd.
Folks..... it’s a big crowd.
Important to note that the crowd tonight is gathered in front of the Justice Center, which is the downtown headquarters of the Portland Police.
It is NOT federal property.
Theoretically, if any law enforcement responds to this demonstration, it will be not be feds. Likely PPB.
It is NOT federal property.
Theoretically, if any law enforcement responds to this demonstration, it will be not be feds. Likely PPB.
Also important to note that @MrOlmos gave me a Red Bull (classic Sergio) which is going to be my dinner.
Thousands of folks in the crowd. One of the biggest crowds I’ve seen in more than 50 days of protesting. They fill the road and most of Chapman Square across the street. They’re even sitting on the sides of the Justice Center. Lots of mom-bloc in yellow.
Someone is yelling that there are free helmets for BIPOC folks at @riotribs.
Speaking of BIPOC folks, when I arrived, a a LGBTQ Black youth was addressing the entire crowd on a bullhorn. This person has been attending the protests most nights, even when there were only 100ish people. Now, the dad next to me is estimating 5,000 folks. (OK, dad.)
(I hate describing one person as LGBTQ but I can’t ask how exactly they ID right now. But try not to do what I just did, ok? 
)
)
Federal officers have been known to burst out of the courthouse unexpectedly to tear gas or shoot less-lethal munitions or bull rush the crowd.
Portland Police Bureau is required to give several warnings and dispersal notices to allow people time to leave before they come in.
Portland Police Bureau is required to give several warnings and dispersal notices to allow people time to leave before they come in.
So, theoretically, this crowd should be warned amply before force is used.
HOWEVER. There have been several outside agencies working with PPB that all have different rules! Mult Co Sheriff folks have burst out of the Justice Center w/o warning before. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/06/use-of-outside-agencies-during-portland-protests-sparks-questions-over-accountability-and-transparency.html
HOWEVER. There have been several outside agencies working with PPB that all have different rules! Mult Co Sheriff folks have burst out of the Justice Center w/o warning before. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/06/use-of-outside-agencies-during-portland-protests-sparks-questions-over-accountability-and-transparency.html
More context for new folks: on the first night of protests, demonstrators smashed the front door of the justice center.
For weeks after, the building was protected by a fence that obtained a cult-like status, inspiring @sacredfence and other parody accounts.
For weeks after, the building was protected by a fence that obtained a cult-like status, inspiring @sacredfence and other parody accounts.
After several weeks of protesters chanting at, shaking, climbing, and moving the fence, city officials and PPB chose to remove the fence.
Today, folks are sitting all along the walls, steps, and ledges.
Today, folks are sitting all along the walls, steps, and ledges.
If PPB or other local officers were to address the protest for any reason, they’ll likely come out the side or back doors, rather than burst through the front where thousands of people are standing.
But they might not come out for all. Or at least not until parents leave.
But they might not come out for all. Or at least not until parents leave.
Meanwhile! A handful of folks are gathering at / wandering around the federal courthouse. Unlike last night, the courthouse is not fenced off at all.
A longtime protester admonishes protest tourists (wearing shorts and flip flops and no gear and smoking) for turning their back to the courthouse. “That’s where people shoot out of!” They say.
A firework goes off next to 5 members of the unofficial PDX Press Corps and we all jump three feet in the air.
Another young queer Black leader (assuming i recognize their voice? I can’t see from here) leads 1000s of protesters singing “we shall overcome.” The protesters all hold up lights (phone flashlights).
One of the moms is wearing a hand-Sharpied “fuck 12” shirt.
The words “FED HOONS OUT OF PDX” are being projected onto the front of the Justice Center.
Whoever is on the bullhorn right now is talking about @repjohnlewis. People cheer and a few yell “good trouble”
Crowd goes from serene to chanting “wake up, motherfucker, wake up!” Audio in the video of nothing, below.
This tweet is only for the regulars, sorry:
Portland Protest Bureau is swooping the entire crowd and I’m honestly in disbelief. (They’ve been on the bullhorn all night.)
Portland Protest Bureau is swooping the entire crowd and I’m honestly in disbelief. (They’ve been on the bullhorn all night.)
I seriously need a second twitter feed for regulars so I can just give updates like “camo pants is here in camo pants” that everyone will immediately understand.
ANYWAY. Marching has been suggested but so far there is just standing and chanting “whose streets, our streets.”
ANYWAY. Marching has been suggested but so far there is just standing and chanting “whose streets, our streets.”
The projection on the wall of the JC is done by a few older protesters who are part of a group called PEST, and the first person to remind me what that stands for gets a prize! They’re currently projecting the words “power to the people.”
The vast majority of the group has marched off west. PEST is getting ready to project something else. The ViewSonic loading page is currently projected onto the JC and it’s very funny to me.
What’s funny is that even with the parents and other folks mostly gone, there are still more people here than on a typical July protest night. But it mostly feels like it has felt for the majority of the last few weeks. Folks just hanging. Fire at the former elk statue.
Full context: I was talking to @PDocumentarians and @GriffinMalone6 when suddenly I said “oooh, fire at the elk!” and Griffin said “finally!” and I can’t stop laughing? I haven’t slept in 2 days.
Anyway, context for new folks: https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/iconic-portland-elk-statue-removed-from-downtown-after-fire-set-during-protest.html?outputType=amp
Anyway, context for new folks: https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/iconic-portland-elk-statue-removed-from-downtown-after-fire-set-during-protest.html?outputType=amp
NBC and ABC and NYT may all have folks on the ground here now, but they’re not going to tell you about elk lore OR camo pants updates. That’s all I’m saying.
I’m extremely delirious and should not have had Red Bull.
I’m extremely delirious and should not have had Red Bull.
There are at least 20 people in line for free food provided by the volunteers at @riotribs. As I walked over, smoke from the grill wafted over me. It’s a much more pleasant smoke than we experienced in this spot last night.
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285140500731670535?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285140500731670535
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285140500731670535?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285140500731670535
There’s a sign on the federal courthouse that encourages Portlanders to vote for @TeressaLRaiford, the founder of Don’t Shoot PDX. Teressa is running a write-in campaign for mayor. Don’t Shoot recently sued PPB to prevent their use of tear gas: https://www.opb.org/news/article/tear-gas-portland-lawsuit/
The big group of marching protesters are still on their march. Meanwhile, a skateboarder is cruising around the federal courthouse.
They knock their skateboard against the wall of the courthouse. I’ve seen feds burst out of the doors for less, but no sign of them so far.
They knock their skateboard against the wall of the courthouse. I’ve seen feds burst out of the doors for less, but no sign of them so far.
If you’re just tuning in, the federal courthouse is completely covered in graffiti, and has been for many weeks.
You may have seen @DHS_Wolf talk about “violent anarchists” doing graffiti on federal property? This is what he’s talking about. This is why feds are here, I guess.
You may have seen @DHS_Wolf talk about “violent anarchists” doing graffiti on federal property? This is what he’s talking about. This is why feds are here, I guess.
The main group of protesters (mostly mom-bloc in the front) are now arriving back at the justice center and federal courthouse. A young queer Black person is leading a chant of “hey hey, ho ho, these racist cops have got to go.”
A white(?) person is leading all of the moms to the east. There’s big yells of MOMS! I don’t know where they’re going. Bye, moms!
This guy has his mouth covered by a mask right now and I’m proud of him.
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1284001338834055169?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1284001338834055169
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1284001338834055169?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1284001338834055169
There are still maybe 1000 people here but more and more are drifting east, away from the JC. A young Black protester is begging the crowd to stay at the justice center/courthouse.
Update: the moms just went around the back of the building in a little loop around the block. They’re back now.
There are now two groups: mostly parent bloc at the justice center (PPB) listening to speeches, and then more younger protesters at the courthouse (feds) chanting “stay together, stay tight, we do this every night” and “Breonna Taylor”
I’m at the federal courthouse putting on a respirator and helmet. Again, PPB is required to give warnings and dispersal notices. Federal agents are not.
Hundreds of people in front of the courthouse, all the way up to the front doors and the holes where federal agents can peek out or shoot munitions. (Yes, they have those.)
Crowd is chanting “feds go home” loudly.
Crowd is chanting “feds go home” loudly.
A line of mom-bloc has assembled in front of the courthouse! They’re dressed in yellow and linking arms. They all have helmets and goggles.
Here’s a photo of one of the holes to peek/shoot that I mentioned.
Ugh I broke the thread! Go here:
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285465155711586304?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285465155711586304
https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285465155711586304?s=21 https://twitter.com/tuckwoodstock/status/1285465155711586304
