Tuesday night in downtown Portland. alex Zielinski Over the last five days in Portland, an easy narrative has emerged about the protests against police violence and racism that have followed the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. That narrative says that there is a large majority of peaceful protestors in this city who simply […]
Blair Stenvick
Blair Stenvick is a former news reporter and culture writer for the Portland Mercury.
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Good Morning, News: Portlanders Protest Peacefully, National Guard Summoned, and Trump Tear Gasses Demonstrators
We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus has threatened our ability to keep producing the Mercury. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury. Alex Zielinski Good morning, Portland! What a wild four days we’ve had, huh? Here are the headlines. • Last night saw a fourth night of protests agains […]
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Live Updates: Portland Protests Against Police Brutality on Monday, Night Four
Downtown Portland on Sunday night. Mercury staff Update, 11 pm: After spending about half an hour occupying the Burnside Bride, folks are starting to call it a night—and making plans for tomorrow: Everyone is shouting “pioneer square 6 pm” (I think this is an RSVP for tomorrow) — Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 2, 2020 Per […]
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Police Close Blocks in Downtown Portland as Protests Continue Monday Afternoon
Portland police wore riot gear at a protest in downtown Portland on Saturday evening. blair Stenvick As Portland protests against police violence continue Monday afternoon, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has closed a large swath of downtown Portland to people and vehicles: The areas between SW 1st Ave to SW 5th Ave from SW Jefferson […]
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TriMet Service, Shelters and Signs Impacted by Protests Against Police Violence
A police flashbang grenade went off near a TriMet MAX stop in downtown Portland on Saturday evening. blair Stenvick Protests broke out across Portland this weekend, as part of a nationwide response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The large crowds of protestors and sizeable police response left swaths of downtown Portland […]
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Mayor Wheeler Issues Curfew, Police Arrest 13 People Following Downtown Portland Protest
city of portland screenshot Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency early Saturday morning in response to a Friday night protest that involved looting and fires in downtown Portland. The protest followed a peaceful vigil honoring the life of George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis this week. Portland Police Bureau […]
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Updates: Escalating Downtown Portland Protest Against the Police Killing of George Floyd
The scene tonight at the Multnomah County Justice Center where the building was set ablaze amidst a large protest. Alex Zielinski We’re bringing you live updates from the downtown Portland protest of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. You can get more up-to-the-minute coverage by following us on twitter. Update, 2:00 am While […]
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Nineteen Non-Unanimous Jury Convictions Were Vacated This Week—But That’s Just the Beginning
getty images Oregon courts began vacating the first few non-unanimous jury cases in Oregon this week—but it will take years of legal work to determine just how wide-reaching a recent United States Supreme Court decision will be for past criminal convictions in the state. In April, the Supreme Court ruled that non-unanimous jury verdicts for […]
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Washington County Can Start Reopening on June 1
Main Street in Hillsboro. Washington county Gov. Kate Brown has approved Washington County’s application to enter Phase 1 of Oregon’s reopening plan. That means bars, restaurants, salons, and other most businesses in the county can reopen—with extra health precautions—on Monday, June 1. Washington County applied to reopen last Friday, and Brown’s approval was announced Thursday […]
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Good Morning, News: Oregon Unemployment Still Lagging, Multnomah Sets Reopening Date, and SpaceX Stays Grounded
We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus has threatened our ability to keep producing the Mercury. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury. It’s almost like… a metaphor or something. Joe Raedle / Getty images Good morning, Portland! The weather is going to reach the high 80s today, so head […]
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TriMet Fare Enforcement Decreases, But Continues, During Pandemic
A TriMet fare enforcement press event held last year. blair Stenvick TriMet fare enforcers issued fewer citations for people riding without a ticket in April than in any month in the last five years. TriMet board member Ozzie Gonzalez didn’t give the exact number during at a Wednesday morning board meeting, but said there had […]
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Good Morning, News: Clackamas Reopens, Biden Wears Mask, and Portland Runoffs Begin
We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus has threatened our ability to keep producing the Mercury. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury. Clackamas county Good morning, Portland! Time to shake off the three-day weekend haze, walk from your bed to your couch, and get to work! Here are the […]