June 22nd: Protesters Argue, Police Bluff

Back at the Justice Center, gonna live-tweet. Can't wait to find out what mood the police are in tonight

So far, no sign of them at the JC itself#DefendPDX #PortlandProtests #PortlandProtest #RoseCityJustice #blacklivesmatter #sacredfence #pdxprotests

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

"I want to remind you that it does not matter whether you listen to them or not…it doesn't matter if you're a peaceful protesters. If your out here? You're an enemy"

-the person being extremely correct on a megaphone

More people coming into the street now

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

https://t.co/gNPZV78Ovy

They tweet it, then announce it

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Person on the megaphone asks PPB why they felt the need to tear gas and steal from OHSU volunteers

"Hold on, let me put on my white voice, maybe you'll come out then"https://t.co/qncjYV2KJU

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Rooftop cops spotted

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

"please do not throw shit, they have not even started hurting us yet. Last night they beat us. We don't have a big enough group. Please"

Is this how protesters in a free country have to talk?

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Getting ready to march. These are our streets pic.twitter.com/WTWvRJSQWe

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

We are, I think, seeing the most insidious effects of the fear that certain elements have been coopted/infiltrated

Agreement has been reached: we march

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

"what are you, Rose City Justice? Stay here if you're brave"

It's a compelling argument. Massive uncertainty

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

The group splits. I have chosen to stay at the justice center

This is very bad

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

We're staying at the JC. No split!! Hooray!

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

A man who has introduced himself as Marcus Evans and describes himself as "walking the line between the police and cops" asks us to stay peaceful and "not give them a reason"

They don't need a reason

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

The snack bus has moved

We need more people. They have us scared. I'm not blaming people for being scared, how could you not be?

But the vibe is not good, not healthy

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

We go into the street again

PPB tells us to get out of the street

We get out of the street

We go into the street again

Lather, rinse, repeat

We can do this all night

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

In order to prevent us from blocking the street, the Portland police have blocked the street

The LRAD has announced that parks will close in 20 minutes and that we should plan to leave

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

This officer is covering his number with his mic. Will not uncover it pic.twitter.com/Jkp4VJGjcO

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Officers waiting pic.twitter.com/7vfMWRpgV4

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Those who stayed are moving to join the group in Pioneer Square

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Here are the bills the activist was talking about:https://t.co/2Nmx7NmdqD

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

We heard from a woman whose daughter was killed in Salem. We are going to go write her name on the memorial wall

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Y'all it is late and I'm old–the crowd is beginning to shrink and I'm gonna tap out

Solidarity to everyone still out here

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

I said, I have a legal right to be on this sidewalk. He said, I can close the sidewalk

Physically, it's true. Legally, it isn't. By my understanding there would have to be an official announcement, an unlawful assembly declared: one cop can or decide to overrule the law

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

And then they left

Because they can't legally arrest people on the sidewalk

And they knew that. They just hoped we didn't

They use intimidation to get us to obey when they don't have a legal leg to stand on, and we cannot let them, ESPECIALLY those of us who look white

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020

Their only weapon is fear. If we can give up that fear we can win. If we get to a place where they can't hurt us in any way that matters, they have nothing

This is always going to be a work in progress. There will soon be far worse things to fear than arrest

But I believe in us

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) June 23, 2020