Portland protesters denounce George Floyd death

PORTLAND, Ore. – A small group of protesters gathered outside the Portland Police Bureau and the Justice Center in Southwest Portland Thursday to denounce the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The protest was organized by the Uhuru Solidary Movement, which works with the African People’s Socialist Party.

Protesters were still outside the Portland Police Bureau and the Justice Center late Thursday night, and some demonstrators said they showed up at 2 a.m. and don't plan on leaving.

In widely circulated cellphone video of the subsequent arrest, Floyd, who was black, can be seen on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back while white Officer Derek Chauvin presses him to the pavement with his knee on Floyd's neck, all while Floyd says he can’t breathe.

Four officers were fired Tuesday; on Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey called for Chauvin to be criminally charged. Frey made no mention of the other three officers, who were also at the scene.

At Thursday's Portland protest, drivers honked their horns in support of the demonstrators. A few sat in the street in front of the Justice Center and blocked traffic.

Just before 11 p.m., at least two police cars with flashing lights showed up, which caused protesters to begin chanting, "No lives matter, until black lives matter," and screaming profanities at the police. The police cars retreated and tensions among the demonstrators eased.

Many of the protesters took Floyd's death personally.

"My message to the police is stop killing us. We're tired of it. Let us live. That's it," said one protester.

Teressa Raiford of Black Lives Matter PDX wasn't part of Thursday's protest but she told KATU by phone that everyone should be outraged by what happened. She said she understands the protesters' sadness and isn't hopeful things will change.

"I don't think things will change, not unless people actually listen and support the people on the ground fighting for justice," she said.

The Uhuru Solidarity Movement asked everyone who attended to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

On Thursday night, violence erupted in Minneapolis, as protesters broke into a police precinct station and set it on fire.

Earlier in the day, Portland Police Chief Jami Resch tweeted saying, in part, "The actions and tactics displayed on the video do not represent our profession’s values and are contrary to our fundamental duty to protect and serve."