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The activist is arguing that police are necessary to keep her safe There are arguments that could address this point but I don't think anyone is making them. They're mostly sort of giving her a wide birth
A car engine revs loudly and protesters jump to the sidewalk. It's nothing, but the instinct is ingrained at this point
Crowd starting to thin out slightly. Still lots of people here If the police don't escalate, I predict a very mellow night. Portland is tired, y'all. We've been going all out for so long. I don't think anyone is looking to antagonize the cops tonight
This is not exactly must-hear news but a couple of protesters are very sweetly making out and I think that's nice and I hope it makes you happy too
A black activist talks about the inportance of continuing this fight for as long as necessary: "another 400 years if we have to!" "Are we gonna pack up and go just because the feds are gone?! Hell no!!"
He talks about PTSD. About jumping when he hears leaf blowers. About our shared trauma and our strength
He talks about being part of that statistics: 1 of 3 black men have been to jail and he's one of them "The systematic oppression has to stop!"
He then goes on to say that this is supposed to be peaceful, that anything that isn't peaceful isn't about black lives, it's just a sideshow "no it isn't!" a quiet, solitary voice retorts
Meanwhile, about 30 feet away, someone is burning what I assume is one of the free Bibles a group was giving away earlierpic.twitter.com/wnjM54IiLA
Protesters throwing a few bottles over the fence. Somehow the cement courthouse continues to stand despite this onslaught
A roof cop has been spotted in the District Courthouse. Protesters chant: "Jump!" This is the first cop/fed presence we've seen all night
Small newspaper fire in the street. Can't get a picture without the firestarters in it so just...I mean it's 2020. You know what a street fire looks like Chant: "Every City! Every town! Burn that precinct to the ground!"
Mostly I think the fire is a hit cuz it's weirdly cold out here
Someone burns a flag against the fence An activist accuses protesters of trying to burn the building down, says it isn't about black lives matter, and tells the protesters to grow up
Can we talk about this narrative where people think protesters are trying to destroy the courthouse? The District Courthouse is a brutalist monstrosity made entirely of concrete We'd need to go full Fight Club to even touch this I promise you, the building is fine
An activist is angry about the flag burning. "What the fuck does that have to do with Black Lives Matter?! Nothing! Stop burning shit!!"
Peace police everywhere. Someone has tagged the courthouse and a person is furious about thispic.twitter.com/I8lq92Y76R
The situation is, I think, that people are terrified of escalation. Of Trump following through on that National Guard shit It's a rational fear Its important, though, not to allow fear of violence to quell a movement
The protest is thinning out and getting more raucus. More small fires. I hear a firework. Banging The moms have left
A group of protesters circles the District Courthouse. Piles trash in front of the garage entrance. I've been told they already emerged to clear a pathpic.twitter.com/ejpSNp5tzn
Protesters banging on the garage door behind the District Courthouse. No sign of activity
An activist comes up furious. "How does this save my life?! Answer me!! Are you a person of color?! They're gonna shot me first! Who led you over here to do this?"
Crowd now standing quietly in front of the garage door
Meanwhile, in front of the District Courthouse, the fire has grown significantlypic.twitter.com/bPl3DaOyPj
An activist speaks to the crowd. Proud of us for continuing to show up. The feds are gone but we're still here. We know it's a longer fight. We know it isn't over
"first time we got tear gassed, e were scared. Look at us, day 60" Cheers " You showed the fuck up! Look at you right now, burning a fire in the street, waiting to be attacked. I just wanna thank you for showing up for the revolution. Being part of the chosen few"
And with that, I'm taking off. Gonna get some sleep and enjoy this new sensation of skin unburnt by gas Solidarity to everyone still out here!
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