US: Protests continue in Portland (Oregon) August 14 /update 6

Event

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Portland (Oregon) on Friday evening, August 14, as protests denouncing police violence continued. Demonstrators gathered at Peninsula Park in North Portland at around 21:00 (local time). Later on in the evening, police reportedly utilised crowd dispersal munitions as demonstrators became unrestful on Mississippi Avenue. Crowds continued to move across North Portland, and reports indicate that protests were ongoing until the early hours of Saturday, August 15. No injuries or arrests were immediately reported. 

Further protests are likely in the near term, and a heightened security presence is to be anticipated in the vicinity of any protest. 

Context

Wednesday was the first time that state police have used tear gas since Oregon's governor Kate Brown announced on July 29 the phased withdrawal of federal officers from Portland. Protesters were demanding federal officers step down from their role of protecting the federal courthouse, the site of much of the unrest in recent weeks. 

Protests began worldwide after US citizen George Floyd died while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. The four arresting police officers were subsequently fired and detained, and one has since been charged with second-degree murder. Protests have since spread to several cities across the US, with solidarity protests taking place throughout the world. 

Advice

Individuals in Portland are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.