You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
Hi there it's me again, the person who can't shut up, coming at you from downtown Portland where maybe 30 protesters are gathering for an action
Not sure it's gonna happen tonight but if it does I'll tweet about it here
#BlackLivesMatter
#PortlandProtests #PoliceBrutality
A Black activist addresses the crowd with a megaphone They acknowledge that, because Portland, obviously a lot of people are gonna be white That there's stuff that's safer for white people to do That the people who complain about white people showing up don't speak for them
"We're all out here for one reason" "Black lives matter!" someone shouts "That's right" They stress that they can only speak for themselves Applause, and a chant of "Black Lives Matter" that's way louder than you'd expect for the crowd size
The crowd moves out, marching towards... Well, I'll let you know when we get there
DJ LRAD serenades the protest as it marches along Naito Pkwy Informs us that we must get out of the street and also that "vandalism of the courthouse will not be tolerated" Guess it's not a secret destination after all Protest continues to march in the steeet
Marching along just now the protesters spontaneously all screamed for about 5 seconds and I've never felt anything more deeply in my entire life
New (to me) chant: "Fuck the system, fight the cops That's our way, we are the black bloc!" You kind of have to hear it to get the rhythm
The protest arrives at what we think is the new courthouse? Standing. Waiting. Trumpet Viking accompanies the chants A debate as to what is and is not the new courthouse (I have no idea what anything is)
(I should explain that this is a brand new courthouse that opens tomorrow. There's a reason no one's quite sure)
DJ LRAD warns once again of arrest as protesters inspect the building "I guess we've found the right place!" someone quips
LRAD informs the "snack wagon" (@SnackMamas) that it is committing a "traffic infraction" and orders it to move
It does...slowly
(pic unrelated)pic.twitter.com/4aJ8LTNoGs
A line of maybe 30 cops pull up on Naito and order everyone on the sidewalk. Protest immediately complied and boy do they look silly pushing no one up the street They sprint ahead and make an arrest Then they leave
Cops pose for a moment in front of the new courthouse, then most of them leave Trumpet Guy plays "taps" as they gopic.twitter.com/enN0kDGgOv
7 cops remain "How many of you are on cocaine right now?" "Hey look don't judge, I would love to have some blow. Hey cops! If you've got any, this is a great time to bridge the divide!!" The cops don't take the protester up on the offer
The protest abruptly turns and leaves This is the first time I've seen a protest walk away from a cop line. The first, I hope, of many
(To whoever keeps trying to get a password reset code to my Twitter account it isn't gonna work, it's just texting the code to me, knock it off you're embarrassing yourself)
Home sweet home (Super here for the apocalyptic graffiti)pic.twitter.com/Ovp16T4qpZ
The protest has moved behind the JC to avoid waking the people sleeping in Chapman and Lownsdale Squares Just hanging out
The protest takes the street. Small numbers still A line of cops crosses 2nd on Madison but does not stoppic.twitter.com/m34HSOHXs4
DJ LRAD is back, two blocks up, yelling at protesters for blocking this deserted street Some nights they care Some nights they don't Let's see how much they care tonightpic.twitter.com/D1DrFMeVZL
As God is my witness the protest was moving down Morrison towards the river when the cops, for reasons only they will ever understand, came out the back of the JC Stood there like assholes for maybe 2 minutes and went back inside What and whypic.twitter.com/BYfJRYCe2M
Ok I found out why I guess someone stayed back to kick the door by themselves Obviously I don't want to tell anyone how to live their lives but that seems real unwise They did manage to get away
The protest is on the move again, marching up Main St
At City Hall. It's a Greatest Hits tour A couple black bloc members ring the bell with a rock. Others discuss the evening's events "It's ok to have a night where we don't get fucked up. I mean, were all masochists, but even masochists get a night off sometimes!"
I'm sitting on the curb arguing with chuds in my mentions, surrounded by other protesters sitting and shooting the shit, when the riot van drives by They point like they're gonna do a targeted arrest but don't "Tighten up!" The group is back on their feet, no longer relaxedpic.twitter.com/kzDXsbTTKr
An activist addresses the crowd. Tells them about tactics in play in Seattle. Not only do they walk instead of run, they link arms and hold on tight "Let's try it now!" someone shouts They do. Protesters pretend to be cops. It's both effective and heartwarming
And just as they're wrapping it up the actual cops arrive They've conducted several arrests, though the tactic of holding onto each other seems to be working all right Footage incoming but this shit is still going on so...
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.
