PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two arrests were made as protesters gathered for a 67th consecutive night Monday evening in Portland, clashing with police on both sides of the river.
Late in the night, protesters marched from Laurelhurst Park to the Penumbra Kelly Building near SE 47th and E Burnside. The building is home to the Portland Police Bureau’s crime prevention and neighborhood involvement units. Portland police first warned demonstrators to stay off the property, rushed the crowd and declared an unlawful assembly. Officers pushed the crowd several blocks down Burnside, ultimately making two arrests.
Earlier Monday evening, residents of the Rose Villa Senior Living Community near Milwaukie led a demonstration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s something they have done every week since the beginning of July. About 50 residents stood on the sidewalk and waved signs, and drivers honked as they rode by.
“Some of the people here have reminded me they’ve been protesting for 50 years. We are out here to have a voice,” said Rose Villa resident Jerry Corn. “We’ve all seen evidence of people disregarding other people just because they have a different skin color. It isn’t the right thing to do, it’s not moral, it’s not right.”
In Portland, clergy and religious leaders with the Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance gathered at Salmon Street Springs. Many have witnessed the protests outside the Justice Center and the federal courthouse.
“We are here to witness. We are not demonstrators, we are not protesters, we are here to witness and support and to insist that everyone crying out for justice deserves to be heard,” said Rabbi Ariel Stone of the Interfaith Clergy. “Everyone crying out for justice deserves respect.”
Meanwhile, across the street Black artists and artists of color created a mural on the board that covered the Portland World Trade Center.
“Instead of having these blank canvases that might be covered in unfriendly messages, we have taken the opportunity here to take back public spaces and give ourselves a voice,” said artist Amaranta Colindres.
Later in the evening, though, police made arrests on both sides of the river. In downtown Portland, Troopers arrested a juvenile male accused of pointing a gun at people. They said it turned out to be a replica firearm. They also seized a knife and metal knuckles from the boy, police said. He was later released to his parents’ custody.
A separate demonstration took place in southeast Portland. Protesters marched from Laurelhurst Park to the Penumbra Kelly Building near SE 47th and E Burnside. Portland police first warned demonstrators to stay off the property, rushed the crowd and declared an unlawful assembly. Officers pushed the crowd several blocks down Burnside, made one arrest that KOIN 6 News witnessed, and pepper sprayed multiple people.
While attempting to disperse the crowd, police say officers had items including paint balloons thrown at them. One officer was reportedly punched while another was injured in the arm by a protester swinging some type of stick or baton.
Police later announced they made two arrests. Zachary Perry, 23, of Portland, was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass while 27-year-old Travis Hessel faces a charge of assaulting a public safety officer.
Timeline of Events: August 3, 2020
1 a.m.
By 1 a.m. the crowd had shrunk considerably. Demetria Hester led chants and mocked officers who stood outside the Penumbra Kelly Building. Some in the crowd moved picnic tables into the intersection of SE 47th and Burnside.
By 1:30 a.m., police said most of the crowd had left.
12 a.m.
Portland police declared an unlawful assembly outside the Penumbra Kelly Building on E Burnside and started pushing protesters away from the area just before midnight. Some protesters threw what appeared to be water bottles at officers. At least one arrest was made.
After a brief stand off at E Burnside and 52nd, police tossed some sort of munition on the ground that released smoke and retreated. Police
After a confrontation with police, protesters continued to march and chant “Black Lives Matter.”
11 p.m.
In downtown, state troopers had backed away from the scene. A basketball hoop was put up in the intersection of SW 3rd and Salmon and a pick-up game started.
On the east side of the river, police and protesters continued to occupy the street. Over a loudspeaker, police warned protesters to stay off of the Kelly building property or they would be “subject to use of force or arrest.”
Around 11:45 p.m. officers began to disperse demonstrators and push them down the street away from the sheriff’s building on E Burnside.
Minutes before midnight, Portland police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.
10 p.m.
At 10:15 p.m. Portland police again tweeted: “People have been observed throwing things at officers. To those at the Kelly Building, stop throwing things at officers. Remain peaceful. If you don’t you are subject to arrest and use of force.” Protesters stood face-to-face with police in Southeast Portland.
Meanwhile, people at the Justice Center appeared to concluded their speeches for the night.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m. tensions rose at the intersection of SW 4th and Salmon. Portland Police said they received a report of a “suspect pointing a handgun at people” and that Oregon State Police moved in and tried to arrest the suspect. Protesters became upset and started chanting “read his rights,” and then more officers in riot gear filled the intersection. Troopers attempted to disperse the crowd and push them back. Authorities said objects were thrown at officers, including a “glass object” that hit a Trooper in the head and shattered. Officers reportedly shot pepper balls at the crowd downtown. Three Troopers suffered minor injuries, according to police.
The suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was detained. Police said they seized a realistic-looking pellet gun, metal knuckles and a knife. Police said they released the boy to one of his parents and referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges.
9 p.m.
A few dozen people convened outside the Justice Center Monday evening for speeches and chants.
Across the river, Portland police reported via Twitter that a march was underway on East Burnside Street and people were blocking traffic lanes. People marched from Laurelhurst Park to the Penumbra Kelly Building, which currently currently houses PPB’s crime prevention and neighborhood involvement units on 47th and Burnside. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office also leases some office space in the building, according to authorities.