Slashed tires, water damage mark 39th night of protesting

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The 39th consecutive night of protesting in Downtown Portland was marked by both peaceful demonstrations and acts of vandalism — including protesters slashing the tires of a truck passing through the area.

Night 39

Around 10 p.m. a black truck was seen approaching a road block near the fountain where the Elk statue previously stood at SW 3rd and Main Street. There was a confrontation with protesters when someone slashed one of the car’s tires.

The driver backed up and parked by the courthouse. Some bystanders offered to help change the tire.

“If we’re not gonna help him, then we’re hypocrites ourselves,” said Jonathan Lalej, one of the volunteers.

After an hour and a half of teamwork, the tire was swapped out.

Protesters demonstrate against the Ethiopian government

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Peaceful protesters took to the streets near Terry Schrunk Plaza for a whole new cause late Monday afternoon. Local Ethiopians are calling for the United States to condemn the Ethiopian government for human rights abuses, specifically toward the country’s Oromo people, said demonstrator Eddie Argo.

Oromo activist and singer Hachalu Hundessa was shot and killed in Ethiopia’s capital city last week. The Oromo community says two Washington residents have also been detained.

“We are gonna continue to be the voice of our people, to make sure our people have the rights that we have here,” Argo said, adding that the group plans to hold more demonstrations and contact Oregon’s senators and representatives to make their message heard.