Editor's Note: Several tweets embedded in this live blog refer to Portland police officers shooting munitions into a crowd of protesters, when—according to the Portland Police Bureau—it was deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office who fired those munitions. There may be other instances in which our reporters misidentify deputies as police officers. (To be fair, it's very impossible to tell them apart during these demonstrations.)
UPDATE 1 AM:
PPB officers pull back to leave the area; protesters cheer and wave.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
The Mercury is calling it for the night after a VERY long day, but please join us again tomorrow when we'll continue our coverage. To recap: There were some very joyous Juneteenth celebrations and marches throughout the day, and an extremely lit dance party at Revolution Hall tonight. Things took a darker turn when cops stormed out of the Justice Center and shot munitions at the heads of protesters without warning. Their actions were definitely more violent and more uncalled for than in the past week, and the department will certainly have questions to answer tomorrow. We'll have more updates for you then, so join us in thanking both Alex Zielinski, Suzette Smith, and Tuck Woodstock (tips accepted) for their very long day. And if you'd like to keep their scrappy style of journalism going, please donate to the Mercury here. Thanks, and good night!
UPDATE 12:50 AM: Police are starting to push the crowd north, and Tuck makes a very good point that I've experienced myself while covering protests.
They just moved the dispersal notice back to Morrison. It’s tricky because they often change the streets during the announcements and you have to be able to hear what they’re saying AND know where streets are and know cardinal directions
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Tuck has a pic of the protester who, at this hour, is still bleeding after being shot in the head by what appears to be a foam bullet which he is holding. Due to the graphic nature of the shot, I'm linking to it here.
I suppose that directive given by the Chief of Police about cops needing to respect their "media partners" has fallen on deaf ears.
I have been threatened multiple times that I would be arrested even though I am doing my job.
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) June 20, 2020
My nightly backwards walk out of downtown. Stopped on yamhill now. Oops nope going backwards again. pic.twitter.com/Aoeg5BmGXC
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Loudspeaker says not to engage the officers. “Engage them with what?” Yells a protester. “They have weapons. What do we have?”
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 12:35 AM: Meanwhile in North Carolina... these guys go HARD.
In Raleigh, a confederate monument was not only toppled, but hanged from a light pole. https://t.co/f4wqhARmW8
— Lee J. Carter (@carterforva) June 20, 2020
And back in Portland, the protesters who just got chased away from the Justice Center have made their way back.
pic.twitter.com/gTVQJqQ12x
— 45th ןǝןןɐɹɐd ʇsıpɹnsqɐ ǝpɐbıɹq (@45thabsurdist) June 20, 2020
Protesters slowly approaching JC with hands up. A line of PPB officers are waiting.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
And there's the warning:
The area of SW 6th east to SW 1st Ave and SW Salmon south to SW Columbia Street is still closed. Leave to the north or the west. Failure
to do so could result in arrest or use of force, to include crowd control munitions.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 20, 2020
The line up pic.twitter.com/HvV7Mn9xvm
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Even in a tense moment like this, I am here for the quality dog content.
Guy just walking his dog in front of the line of police??? pic.twitter.com/eGPdcVP8Dl
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 12:20 AM: Speaking of a "Sophie's Choice":
Group is stopped at broadway and oak, debating between turning west and going to ted wheeler’s condo.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Apparently there's a discussion within the group whether to continue to the "Ted's Condo Autonomous Zone" or return to the Justice Center. But remember: Even during a protest, "good manners are always in style."
Someone tries to move the group away from several tents where folks are trying to live/sleep. Other members of the group start yelling very loudly??
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
And C'MON, FOLKS! I know it's rough out there running from the cops (I've been there!), but WEAR YA DAMN MASKS.
There are a lot of protesters out here without masks (or with masks around chins) tonight and I just hate being stressed about people getting hurt in two ways at once, you know? Anyway.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
It looks like the crowd is indeed moving back toward the Justice Center.
9th and Oak heading south pic.twitter.com/56k5IERrX6
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) June 20, 2020
UPDATE MIDNIGHT: The police continue to push the crowd away from the Justice Center into downtown. (If you're just joining us, JESUS CHRIST, the police have been EXTRA tonight!)
The crowd has been dispersed from justice, but their still moving in downtown pic.twitter.com/TvcRr75ARO
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
Passing pioneer courthouse square. Some debating whether to go into the square.
“That’s a bad idea,” says one protester.
“Anyone have a good idea?” Says another.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Man, this video is pure protest porn.
#portlandprotests still at it! #juneteenth pic.twitter.com/MvJxzmNNUV
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) June 20, 2020
The crowd isn’t stopping at pioneer. pic.twitter.com/wBvRIAHaTQ
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 11:50 PM: Hmmm... for a police department that's been told by the mayor not to use tear gas, one would think they wouldn't need gas masks, yes?
Police moved protestors out of the park, flash bands and smoke were used. Lots of police were wearing gas masks. pic.twitter.com/0G62v7Kctv
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
Just a cop hopped up on adrenaline and pointing a gun... what? Me worry?
Just watching this guy point a gun pic.twitter.com/25raJFAi8g
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Use of force warning for returning to justice center pic.twitter.com/wVG2R9dpKe
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
The area of SW 6th east to SW 1st Ave and SW Salmon south to SW Columbia Street is closed. Leave the area to the west now.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 11:40 PM: This is the most vicious I've seen the Portland Police act toward protesters since their tear gas-happy antics a week ago. Now they're pushing the crowd west and apparently spraying mace or some other chemical agents in the eyes of protesters?
Everyone getting pushed out now. Flash bangs being thrown. Some protesters also had something sprayed in their eyes and were treated by medics.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Police moved protestors away from the justice center pic.twitter.com/6aXlXQQW9b
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
PPB retreating to van pic.twitter.com/9lOH38NYd4
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
REMINDER:
It seems like PPB shot munitions into the crowd before telling anyone that were doing anything wrong. If that’s true, it’s going against PPB directives. https://t.co/PTxUVvQ8aY
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
One of the leaders trying to pitch ted Wheeler’s condo as a march destination. Too late! there’s a vote to go back to the justice center. That means I can be arrested covering this because PPB is threatening to arrest journalists! Fun! Please tip.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 11:30 PM: We're still trying to figure out why the cops at the Justice Center suddenly flung open the doors and started firing pepper balls (or rubber bullets, not sure yet) randomly into the crowd, and ordering a dispersal.
I will say that a few protesters started lobbing things (like water bottles) over the fence once they were being shot at. those were not the only people who were shot at, though.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Protesters stood with arms up, and continued to be shot at for several minutes. Saw someone hit in stomach.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Dispersal order only came after several minutes of shots being fired into the crowd without any live munitions warning.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Unlawful assembly declared, police telling protestors to disperse to the west pic.twitter.com/3TAWeA0t2E
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
A protester on the scene was reportedly shot in the head by one of the munitions... I won't show it here, because it's grisly, but here it is if you want to see it.
UPDATE 11:20 PM: We'll check back in on the Rev Hall Juneteenth celebration later—but in the meantime, at the Justice Center the cops have gone nuclear... no one is sure why?
PPB just flew out of the doors of the JC and started shooting into the crowd. Idk what they are shooting but someone next to me was shot in the back of the neck and is bleeding a lot.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Launching either gas or smoke now. Too far too tell.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
A couple dozen protesters are standing hands raised while getting shot at pic.twitter.com/8CSX35Y611
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
PPB still shooting openly into unarmed protesters with arms up. ZERO WARNING. No dispersal. Just shots.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
A bunch of cops just busted out of JC with no warning and starred shooting munitions indiscriminately. pic.twitter.com/h1pkDRsFKI
— 🏴 (@leftkist) June 20, 2020
And here we go:
The demonstration occurring around the Justice Center has been declared an unlawful assembly. Disperse to the west now. Failure to comply with the order may result in arrest and force to include crowd control munitions.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 11 PM: While the dance party at Revolution Hall (now with even a bigger crowd) gets increasingly lit....
#portland demonstrations day 22 pic.twitter.com/rrx8xnTfBg
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
... the vibe at the Justice Center is more tense. And... slingshotty?
Someone is slingshotting small somethings (rocks?) at the upper windows of the JC.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Back at Rev Hall:
There’s at least a thousand people here pic.twitter.com/lkirwWYUo0
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 20, 2020
It seems like the protesters at JC are experiencing FEELINGS about the partiers at Rev Hall.
To be clear, they don’t hate the idea of an autonomous zone. They just don’t trust anyone trying to convince any of the remaining ~200 protesters to leave.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Before calling it a night, Alex sheds a little light on the Rev Hall Juneteenth celebration.
I’m calling it a night on the eastside. Letting this happy crowd celebrate Juneteenth without someone tweeting about it.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 10:30 PM: Back at Rev Hall, the summer vibes keep vibing.
Vibe update. I feel like I’m just covering a summer festival now (which is fine!) But definitly not a crowd that looks like it’s trying to march anywhere. pic.twitter.com/jCD2iCn5lL
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
SIGHTED: hula hoops w/ fire on them (there’s probably a better name for these). What I’m trying to say is yes, this is officially a PNW music festival.
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
The marchers that were heading across the Morrison Bridge were apparentluy confronted with a Sophie's Choice situation: Head toward the fun (and hula hoops) of Revolution Hall or go back to the hardcore protesting of the Justice Center? This has been a running theme throughout these protests. Is the revolution furthered by fun or direct action?
Someone just told me that they might leave the Rev Hall gathering to go to Justice Center because the Rev Hall event was “too fun” and honestly I feel like that sums up the divide nicely.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Meanwhile back at the Justice Center... well, projections are kinda fun, right?
Chapman #Juneteenth Celebration with a big sound system. #BlackLivesMatter PDX pic.twitter.com/aJmn2z8B8a
— Cozcacuahutli Itzpapalotl (@KohzKah) June 20, 2020
And the choice was made.
Oh, A group of 100+ of marchers just arrived at Rev Hall — I think this was the group @tuckwoodstock was following earlier. pic.twitter.com/BOy4iCfURO
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 10 PM: As the Rev Hall gang celebrates Juneteenth with a dance party, a huge throng of marchers stretching back blocks are taking over the Morrison Bridge, followed by Tuck!
We’ve made it onto the west end of the Morrison bridge and are now stopped. pic.twitter.com/ku3yXlPfR0
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
But wait... are they?
A protester is shouting to turn around and go back to the justice center because the leaders are taking everyone to rev hall, where the Juneteenth dance party(?) is happening. A few other protesters are nervous not knowing where they’re going.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
The group has seperated mid bridge. Part of them is going towards Revolution Hall and the other part wants to return to the Justice Center. pic.twitter.com/kyZJrZRlZs
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) June 20, 2020
According to a protester, the folks leading in cars say they ARE taking everyone to Revolution Hall. A small group of ~100 is turning back to the Justice Center. The larger group is continuing east.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
Meanwhile, back at Rev Hall... it's not just the dance party that's luring people back.
I love seeing so many people reading these bios of Portlanders who were killed by police. Kendra James, Quanice Hayes, Terrell Johnson, Andre Gladden, Patrick Kimmons, Aaron Campbell, James jahar Perez, Tony Stevenson, Keaton Otis, Jason Washington. (Look em up!) pic.twitter.com/oY2eTDEyYp
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
UPDATE 9:45 PM: Alex has arrived at the dance party/rally at Revolution Hall where the crowd is 1500 strong, and... what a beautiful sight!
It’s BOPPIN. pic.twitter.com/nL1zIvD5et
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
“Look at this y’all, this is power!” Says DJ. Shouts names of Breonna, George. pic.twitter.com/dXNJVtrXzZ
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
Glad we're all having fun, folks! Let's just remember we're in Phase 1... not Phase 27.
I am all for this jubilant energy, but also... pandemic? Love, mom. pic.twitter.com/mdZwG4JHcZ
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) June 20, 2020
Meanwhile Tuck has been lured away from the Justice Center by the sound of a very large crowd marching north.
Just kidding, I’m not making it all the way to the justice center because there’s a big group of protesters marching north on Main. They are chanting LOUDLY. I could hear them two blocks away.
— Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) June 20, 2020
ORIGINAL POST 9:15 PM: Hello and welcome to PART TWO of our day long coverage of Juneteenth celebrations and protests in Portland. You can read part one here, in which our Alex Zielinski attended a youth led rally at Terry Schrunk Plaza, and Suzette Smith marched along with the Celebration of Black Lives march from Peninsula Park. We also shared details of the march from Vancouver, WA onto the I-5 bridge which shut down all southbound lanes. Exciting stuff! Check it out here!
Tonight we're continuing our coverage as our Alex Zielinski is dropping by a rally at Revolution Hall, and freelancer extraordinaire Tuck Woodstock covers the Justice Center and its SACRED FENCE™. This has been going on for THREE WEEKS now, and somehow? Every night presents surprises. What will it be tonight? Only one way to find out! Follow Alex and Tuck on Twitter for the minute-to-minute details, and this rolling live blog for the overview on what's happening around the city. Stay tuned for all the action!