After taking a couple of nights off to write I’m headed down to the Justice Center/Portland No Journalism Zone (PNJZ) again tonight so hit me up if something needs a light shines upon it. Be careful out there pals.
It’s so surreal watching these two gov buildings be transformed for these last three weeks. It’s essentially a skate party at the moment.
Folks looking to block 3rd in front of the JC, plenty of support honks—which is good bc these moment makes me v nervous as you never know whose behind the wheel. Couple hundred out here I’d say.
Tri-pod atop the JC
Snack van!
LRAD says get out of the street. Protesters displeased with the suggestion.
I guess the reasoning here is they expect to give nothing and get something in return? It has to sting to see 95% of the cars on 3rd honk in support.

Marching drums and noise kicking up in response to LRAD.
Folks strategizing, apparently I’m not the only one who feels it’s going to go down early tonight. Feeling that terrible and sadly familiar anxiety you only get at these things.
Cops truck just rolled up at the back of the park
Oh boy. The face off hath begun on 3rd. They might be kettling the whole park?
It’s almost as though they didn’t actually care about traffic being stopped or something. Gosh.
Cops trying to look through this car, folks gathered. At least two arrested when the police ran over to 3rd.
Truck w Uhaul allowed to leave. I believe they were the group selling treats and shirts to raise money, so I’m glad that didn’t turn bad.
More cops just arrived, surrounded on 3 sides
Anxiety vomit urge rising
This guy’s had a wild month
How about this cat who just shines the light in people’s faces all night? “Collins we need you out there, you’re best man with a flashlight goddamnit!”
One of the cops vans has been tagged.
We got ourselves a good old fashion Portland standoff
LRAD announces the cops are leaving (w the arrested) to cheers.

I jump at the sound of the LRAD, fall off a bench and look cool as hell👍
Protesters immediately back in the streets. If they’re just sitting in a the street right here is that such a big deal? Strategy being discussed.

Of note: speakers are people I def recognize as vets.
Two folks admonish the people sitting on the streets to get on the sidewalk and hold the park, this is greeted w a mix of cheers and boos, much impassioned debate in the middle of the street follows. Seems the park faction won out.
The vibe currently reminds this native ATLien of drum lines at football games.
V calm now. It’s clear that a lot of the tension on the ground comes to be honestly enough. Some of the folks that are new to protesting have been out here all or most of the 23 nights and want to have a say—just as the people who have been doing this for years do.
Spoke to legal observers and they told me they couldn’t comment on what happened but it looks like their buddy indeed snatched.
Of note: that big, boxy black van with the blacked out windows that’s been circling the actions every night is here again. Feds? No way that tint is street legal.
This is how many people are in the street: essentially just whomever is speaking. Cars flowing fine. Yet LRAD guy continues.
Ironically enough the LRAD is blocking a lane of traffic. More like LBAD, amirite???

(I’ll see myself out.)
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