03 Jun 2020 | 09:00 AM UTC
US: Thousands protest in Portland (Oregon state) June 2
Thousands protest in Portland (Oregon state) on June 2; further demonstrations possible in the coming days, avoid all protests
Event
At least 7,000 demonstrators gathered for protests in Portland (Oregon state) on Tuesday, June 2, on the sixth consecutive day of unrest in the city linked over the police-related death of George Floyd. Reports indicate that two large scale gatherings took place at Pioneer Courthouse Square and at Revolution Hall on Stark Street at 18:00 (local time). The protesters who gathered at Revolution Hall proceeded to march across the Burnside Bridge and then moved towards the downtown area where they joined with the gathering at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 20:15. A separate group of hundreds of protesters then proceeded to march towards a fence that had been erected to block demonstrators from accessing downtown government buildings, including City Hall, the police headquarters, and the county and federal courthouses. Police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the protesters when they began to shake the fence. Some protesters responded by throwing objects at police. Police made at least one arrest in connection with the unrest.
Further demonstrations and unrest are likely in the area in the near term, and clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.
Context
George Floyd died while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. The four arresting police officers were subsequently fired, and one has since been charged with murder. Black Lives Matter (BLM) supporters gathered on May 26 to denounce the death and actions of the police officers. Clashes ensued between protesters and riot police; with demonstrators throwing bricks and projectiles at police and police property, and police responding with tear gas and rubber bullets as they attempted to disperse the crowds. Protests have since spread to a number of cities across the US.
Advice
Individuals in Portland and across metropolitan areas in the US are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
