A group of a couple hundred demonstrators gathered near the Justice Center on July 3, 2020. For several hours, the group blocked the street on Southwest 3rd Avenue between Southwest Main and Southwest Madison Street. During this time, a couple demonstrators set off commercial grade fireworks on Southwest Main Street where the elk statue used to stand.
Around 11:00 p.m., demonstrators began marching to Waterfront Park. For about 45 minutes, demonstrators rallied in the park. At 11:45 p.m., demonstrators marched back to Southwest 3rd Avenue and gathered in the street from Southwest Salmon to Southwest Madison Street.
Around 12:53 a.m., a few of the demonstrators began throwing rocks at the Federal Courthouse building. Some of these rocks broke windows. At around 1:30 a.m., some demonstrators began shooting the commercial grade fireworks towards the Justice Center. Many demonstrators were carrying makeshift shields and sticks.
Some individuals began dragging fencing material and barricades and constructing a fence in the area of Southwest 3 Avenue and Main Street. Several small fires were lit throughout the night, including some dumpster fires, but Portland Fire & Rescue personnel were not required. There were also several arguments and physical fights within the group of demonstrators, but they all broke up without police intervention.
In on-going efforts to de-escalate the situation, PPB members stayed away from the demonstrators, as there was not an identified life safety risk.
At about 4 a.m., the Federal courthouse was attacked. A riot was declared and efforts were made to get the crowd to disperse, including numerous warnings to leave the area or be subject to arrest or force.
PPB did not deploy CS gas at any point during the overnight demonstrations.
This is still an active situation and the area near the Federal Courthouse is still impacted, including Southwest 3 Avenue and Main Street. Traffic in the area may be impacted; use caution if driving near the Justice Center and Federal Courthouse.
###PPB###