July 31st: Federal Police Leave, Peace Police Here In Force

It's a groovy Friday night and I'm headed to the hottest party in Portland. Live from the Justice Center: let's see how this shakes out#DefendPDX #blacklivesmatter #portland #oregon #blm #acab #PortlandProtest #PDXprotest #Feds #MomsAreHere #police #WallOfVets #FedsGoHome

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

A black activist reads the preamble to the declaration of independence. I wish he'd say more about why he chose to read it. Is it a call for revolution? Or for a realization of the values America has always pretended to be based on?

That's the question of the protest, isn't it?

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The activist talks about the sacrifices already made just for the right to live and exist and pursue happiness

He then says that black people worship God and Jesus Christ

I wonder what group this is

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

A couple people have set up a table near the ex-elk statue, where they are giving away helmets and accepting donations. Activists trickle up and try them on

This is such a beautiful thing pic.twitter.com/tn86nT7hta

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

I listen to the speaker talk about Gerorge Floyd and remember when I found that video shocking. I don't anymore. How could any of us, after these 60-some days of violence?

I wonder if we'll ever be able to change anything

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The speaker continues to speak. He's having trouble getting the crowd to respond loudly. I'm not the only tired person here tonight

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

An activist speaks about the many things that must change in society: beyond police brutality

Reparations. Expungement of felony records so that people can move forward and have a chance at life

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

A Nike designer discusses her experience designing for Serena Williams. She talks about how Covid had made this difficult

She talks about her dissatisfaction with Nikes response to the George Floyd murder

A group is moving off and I think I'm gonna join them

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Well this is new pic.twitter.com/oI7UEYKn9G

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

A Good Sign pic.twitter.com/15dZUHUgVS

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The RevComs from Los Angeles are speaking in front of the District Courthouse again. Calling, once more, for revolution. They are talking about how they want a society where women can walk down the street without getting catcalled

I'm going to need both thoughts and prayers

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

An activist of color talks about the importance of unity through the RevCom microphone while other activists try to get a Black Lives Matter chant going

She says that the Trump Pence regime has to go and this is the first step towards ending police brutality

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Who should I listen to and report on right now?

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

I have checked them out! This is very cool. If you require food, go over to Terry Schrunk Plaza and visit @dontstarvepdxhttps://t.co/r1wvziVzCZ pic.twitter.com/9jHLMOBJch

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The people have spoken

I have failed to find even a single void to flee into, so buckle in for more RevCom hot takes from the District Courthouse

(But do let me know if you see any voids around)https://t.co/PT5PRFGmul

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Never mind! Looks like they've stopped in front of he District Courthouse. The poll was a waste of time

An activist speaks about the prison industrial complex and the modern enslavement of black people

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

"My ancestors begged for mercy and they found none! We have been out here for two months protesting state-sanctioned killings, asking for mercy, and found none! We have to stand up and take it!"

The biggest applause of the night

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Sorry, 1944: I misheard. Blame it on the flash bang

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The activist points out that peaceful protest depends on the target having a conscience

I'm gonna repeat that

Peaceful Protest Depends On the Target Having a Conscience

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Moms chant "I got your back!"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

A couple protesters bang on the fence with trash can lids. Gentle, harmless, makes a lot of noise

Good way to test the waters

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

There's a speaker but unfortunately their megaphone isn't very good and my hearing, as established earlier, has not been improved over the last two months

The street in front of the District Courthouse remains packed

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

The crowd in Portland is, as always, largely white. There's that familiar freeze as the audience is unsure what to do

A chant of Black Lives Matter shifts into a chant of "let her talk"

Cameras battle to capture these activists arguing

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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!!"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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!"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Meanwhile, about 30 feet away, someone is burning what I assume is one of the free Bibles a group was giving away earlier pic.twitter.com/wnjM54IiLA

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Mostly I think the fire is a hit cuz it's weirdly cold out here

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

An activist is angry about the flag burning. "What the fuck does that have to do with Black Lives Matter?! Nothing! Stop burning shit!!"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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 path pic.twitter.com/ejpSNp5tzn

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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?"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

Meanwhile, in front of the District Courthouse, the fire has grown significantly pic.twitter.com/bPl3DaOyPj

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

"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"

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020

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!

— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020