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?
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
That's the question of the protest, isn't it?
The activist talks about the sacrifices already made just for the right to live and exist and pursue happiness
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
He then says that black people worship God and Jesus Christ
I wonder what group this is
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
This is such a beautiful thing pic.twitter.com/tn86nT7hta
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?
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
I wonder if we'll ever be able to change anything
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
Reparations. Expungement of felony records so that people can move forward and have a chance at life
A Nike designer discusses her experience designing for Serena Williams. She talks about how Covid had made this difficult
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
I'm going to need both thoughts and prayers
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
She says that the Trump Pence regime has to go and this is the first step towards ending police brutality
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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
Never mind! Looks like they've stopped in front of he District Courthouse. The poll was a waste of time
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
An activist speaks about the prison industrial complex and the modern enslavement of black people
"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!"
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
The biggest applause of the night
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
I'm gonna repeat that
Peaceful Protest Depends On the Target Having a Conscience
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
Good way to test the waters
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
The street in front of the District Courthouse remains packed
The crowd in Portland is, as always, largely white. There's that familiar freeze as the audience is unsure what to do
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
A chant of Black Lives Matter shifts into a chant of "let her talk"
Cameras battle to capture these activists arguing
The activist is arguing that police are necessary to keep her safe
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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
Crowd starting to thin out slightly. Still lots of people here
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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
A black activist talks about the inportance of continuing this fight for as long as necessary: "another 400 years if we have to!"
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
"Are we gonna pack up and go just because the feds are gone?! Hell no!!"
He talks about being part of that statistics: 1 of 3 black men have been to jail and he's one of them
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
"The systematic oppression has to stop!"
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!"
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
This is the first cop/fed presence we've seen all night
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?
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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!!"
— 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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
It's a rational fear
Its important, though, not to allow fear of violence to quell a movement
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"
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
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
— Laura Jedeed is Kind of Back I Guess (@LauraJedeed) August 1, 2020
Solidarity to everyone still out here!