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#DontShootPDX:
10 arrests, flash bangs in Portland at Ferguson support rally
30
November, 2014
At
least 10 activists, including one teenager, were arrested overnight
in Portland, Oregon, amid on-going protests against a grand jury
decision not to indict a white police officer for killing an unarmed
black teen.
“Officers
arrested 10 people at Southwest 2nd Avenue and Main Street at
approximately 11:15 pm [Saturday], after a large group of protesters
laid down [sic] in the street and refused lawful orders to clear the
roadway. Those arrested include nine adults and one
juvenile,”Portland
Police Bureau (PPB) said in
a statement.
At
least 400 protesters attended the rally dubbed DON'T SHOOT PORTLAND.
The event was created on Facebook under the #DontShootPDX hashtag.
According
to the police, a larger group of people “was
briefly detained” during
the demonstration, but then they were “released
and told to leave the area.”
Earlier,
social media users shared a video in which police officials use flash
bangs, a device designed to stun its target with a blinding flash of
light and intense noise. Also Twitter users said police reportedly
used rubber bullets to disperse the activists.
However,
PPB said “no ‘rubber
bullets’ were used as was being erroneously reported on Twitter.”
According
to the police, a larger group of people “was
briefly detained” during
the
demonstration, but then they were “released and told to leave the area.”
demonstration, but then they were “released and told to leave the area.”
Earlier,
social media users shared a video in which police officials use flash
bangs, a device designed to stun its target with a blinding flash of light and intense noise. Also Twitter users said police reportedly used rubber bullets to disperse the activists.
bangs, a device designed to stun its target with a blinding flash of light and intense noise. Also Twitter users said police reportedly used rubber bullets to disperse the activists.
However,
PPB said “no
‘rubber bullets’ were used as was being erroneously
reported on Twitter.”
reported on Twitter.”
“Today,
Michael Brown is more alive than his killers,” he
said, as cited by OregonLive.com.
According
to Jackson, the jury remained elusive and found no wrongdoing from
Darren Wilson, an officer who killed unarmed black teenager Michael
Brown.
"The
fact is, for three and a half months, this was no jury of
substance," Jackson
said. "No jury of
integrity. No real America. This was a hangman's noose. It's not
right, and we all deserve better."
Bob
McCulloch, the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, announced
the grand jury’s decision in the Michael Brown case on Monday
evening. He said that “no probable cause exists” to file any
charges against Wilson. A statement from Wilson’s attorney said his
client had followed his training, as well as the law, when he shot
Brown.
After
the jury’s decision a wave of violent protests and peaceful marches
swept over Ferguson and many other major US cities.
Hugs
not wars!
In
the meantime, not everyone in Portland or the US wants to be at war
with the police over Michael Brown.
A
photo of a young demonstrator hugging a police officer amid the
on-going protests in Portland went viral in social media. It was
posted on the Instagram account of AP freelance photographer, Johnny
Nguyen.
On
Tuesday a 12-year old African-American boy Devonte Hart was standing
in Portland downtown holding signs "You
Matter" and "Free
Hugs." He
was trembling, tears were rolling down his cheeks, his mother told
the local media.
Police
Sgt. Bret Barnum who was standing a few meters away from the boy,
noticed that the teen was crying and came to him. A father of two
teenage sons, the officer saw the sign “Free Hugs” and asked
Devonte if he might get a hug as well.
"Knowing
how he struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye
and approach me were impressive,"Barnum
told AP. "And it's a
blessing for me that I didn't miss an opportunity to impact this
child."
The
moment was about "listening
to each other, facing fears with an open heart," he
said.
I want to thank everyone who shared my photo today!!! You guys are playing a great role in spreading the message of hope and humanity as seen here in the photo of Sgt. Barnum and Devonte Hart. I also want to thank @theoregonian for being the first to publish my photo and writing the incredible story behind it. You guys are the best. I don’t really use Twitter but now I have a reason to. Follow me on Twitter @chambersvisuals to stay updated! Tune into NBC Nightly News tonight at 6:30 EST. They’re covering the photo and story as well! Spread love, Johnny.
On Tuesday a 12-year old African-American boy Devonte Hart was standing in Portland downtown holding signs "You Matter" and "Free Hugs." He was trembling, tears were rolling down his cheeks, his mother told the local media.
Police
Sgt. Bret Barnum who was standing a few meters away from the boy,
noticed that the teen was crying and came to him. A father of two
teenage sons, the officer saw the sign “Free Hugs” and asked
Devonte if he might get a hug as well.
"Knowing
how he struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye
and approach me were impressive,"Barnum
told AP. "And
it's a blessing for me that I didn't miss an opportunity to impact
this child."
The
moment was about "listening
to each other, facing fears with an open heart," he
said.
6:01 PM - 30 Nov 2014 Portland, OR, United States
4:26 PM - 30 Nov 2014 Portland, OR, United States
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