Protest at Oregon Capitol quieter as demonstrators prepare for large rally Saturday

Salem Statesman Journal

The protest at the Oregon State Capitol Thursday night — the sixth in as many nights —was smaller and quieter as demonstrators gear up for a major march and rally Saturday in Salem.

Starting at 11 a.m., Court Street NE between 12th Street NE and Cottage Street NE will be closed.

At 1 p.m., the following street segments will close:

Liberty Street NE between Court Street NE and Center Street NE
Center Street NE between Liberty Street NE and Summer Street NE
Winter Street NE between Marion Street NE and Court Street NE
High Street NE between Marion Street NE and State Street NE
Church Street NE between Ferry Street NE and Marion Street NE
Chemeketa Street NE between Liberty Street NE and Winter Street NE
Cottage Street NE between Marion Street NE and State Street NE

The march begins at 1:30 p.m. and will move as follows:

Begin on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol Building
Move west on Court Street NE
Turn north on Liberty Street NE
Turn east on Center Street
End at the Capitol Mall

In advance, organizers have taken to social media to stress their goal of a peaceful protest and are asking participants to wear safety masks and practice social distancing. Those at higher risk of infection from COVID-19 are being encourage to participate from their cars and join a car "march" at about 3:30 p.m.

About 50 protesters gathered at the Capitol Thursday evening.

"I want change. I want to see change before I die," said Melvin Smith, 56, of Salem. "I want to know that my children and grandchildren will be safe here in America."

Oregon protests Thursday in Salem, Eugene and Portland followed memorials held earlier in the day in Minnesota and New York City for George Floyd, the handcuffed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck during an arrest.

Demonstrators hold signs toward passing cars during a protest of the death of George Floyd in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

In Portland, thousands of people, including Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, marched over the Morrison Bridge into downtown, linking arms and chanting, “I can’t breathe."

They filled Tom McCall Waterfront Park for a second night, where an organizer called for nonviolent resistance and cheered the decision to stop assigning police officers to work in Portland schools.

In Eugene, hundreds of protesters gathered, some laying down in the street in protest.

And Gov. Kate Brown ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Floyd.

A passing driver raises a fist toward demonstrators during a protest of the death of George Floyd in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

In Salem, organizers stood at the edge of the sidewalk in front of the Capitol waving signs as cars passed by, similar to the past several nights.

At around 9:15 p.m., they knelt in silence on the Capitol steps for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time the officer accused kept his knee on Floyd's neck.

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To the crowd, Smith said: "This is just a start. Nobody asked you all to come and look at you. My soldiers, we're going to win this war."

Smith, a retired truck driver, attended other protests in the city, including Wednesday's rally the Willamette Town Center to listen. On Thursday, he brought snacks and water to protesters.

Salem resident Kai de Gaia said she's been attending protests during the day to keep the momentum going and maintain awareness.

Melvin Smith pauses during a speech to shake hands with Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess during a protest of the death of George Floyd in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

De Gaia, 43, arrived at the Capitol at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and at 2 p.m. on Thursday and stayed until the evening hours.

She said she's also noticed young children show up at the Capitol with their families to support the movement.

"During the day people are less afraid to come out because they've been hearing what happens at night," she said. "I think a lot of people are at this breaking point where they just can't take anymore."

Roman Castro (left) and Allison Widger hold signs during a protest of the death of George Floyd in front of the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

The change needs to be systemic, Smith said. By putting the right people in power who care about the people. What people need to do is "protest and vote," he said. "That's all they can do. Let them know why you're unhappy."

"I don't feel complete ... because that's the way the system is designed to make black people feel," he said. "The knee has been on the back of America's blacks for a lot longer than Floyd."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Virginia Barreda is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.