I'm at Peninsula Park in North Portland where a march is supposed to start at 8. Destination unknown at this point. A couple dozen protesters appear to be here right now (along with other people/families hanging out in the park).
"Defund police" banner flying overhead.
Getting a later-than-planned start, but the crowd voted and we are starting to march to the Portland Police Association (North Precinct was the other option). I'd guess the crowd is about 200 people strong.
Demetria Hester leading the group and the chants.
A view of the crowd passing Rosa Parks and Denver. Bikes and motorcycles are leading the way and blocking streets. Cars are bringing up the rear.
We made it to the PPA building and someone was quickly scolded for allegedly filming faces. Crowd started chanting, "Who did you see?" Answer: "Didn't see shit!"
Somebody asked if anyone had a crowbar (the entrance is boarded up). Crowd seemed momentarily unsure of what to do next, now chants have resumed.
"Every city, every town. Burn the precinct to the ground!"
Dumpster on fire in the middle of the street.
Some people put flaming cardboard up against the building. Then the person in the flag cape started putting it out. Some people yelled that they were a cop.
And then this altercation happened. The woman wearing the flag eventually walked to another corner.
Portland Police have warned the crowd a couple times to leave the area. The LRAD is making the announcement from about a block away from where demonstrators have used a fence and vans to block Lombard at the intersection with Denver.
This semi-truck couldn't turn around when it hit the demonstrators' roadblock at Lombard and Concord. So they cleared the street enough for it to drive through.
Another round of warnings from the LRAD. PPB claims people are trying to break into and climb on top of the Portland Police Association building.
Pickup sped through crowd and rammed through the fence, sparks flying.
After the pickup incident, some people put more fences, the charred dumpster, and vehicles in the street.
LRAD back. Unlawful assembly declared. PPB warning that tear gas may be used. And it looks like some got fired mid-warning from the other direction.
Pushing people to Lombard and Denver. Also, that may not have been tear gas because none of the officers i see are wearing gas masks.
A smoky (but not spicy) retreat. Some demonstrators are trying to reassemble the barricades now.
Moments ago. There was some sort of fight, car turned aroud and I heard several pops. Someone said a person shot into the air, but that's not confirmed.
Police are here trying to investigate. Crowd yelling, "We don't need you."
Officers leaving now. LRAD announcing they have concluded their investigation. No idea what, if anything, they found.
People in the crowd threw things at officers as they drove away. Police threw flashbangs and smoke in response.
Some crowd members have been arguing with the driver of this SUV for several minutes. He has been sitting at the light on Denver for a long time. A few people complained it was a traffic violation and that he is blocking other cars from getting through.
PPB cars just left on Denver. Crowd significantly smaller than it started out. I'm heading in for the night.