Group Blocks Traffic, Vandalizes Property, and Lights Fires Outside Justice Center

On October 15, 2020, a group gathered outside the Justice Center in Downtown Portland. Nearly 100 people began standing in the street on Southwest 2nd Avenue between Southwest Madison and Southwest Main Street. Members of the group were seen spray painting Central Precinct as well as putting garbage near the entryways and exits to the sally port garage doors. At the same time, members of the group started a large fire in the intersection located at Southwest Main Street and Southwest 3rd Avenue. As the fire grew larger, members stood near blocking vehicular traffic. Smaller fires were lit by igniting the garbage left near the sally port doors.

Warnings were issued over loudspeaker advising the crowd that all streets are open to vehicular traffic. You must immediately vacate the roadway and proceed to the sidewalk. If you remain in the roadway, you may be subject to arrest for Disorderly Conduct, Interfering with a Police Officer, and other State and City offenses. If you remain in the roadway and show the intent to engage in physical resistance to removal, or if emergency circumstances require, you may be subject to the use of force, including crowd control agents, tear gas, and impact weapons. Move to the sidewalk. Despite the warnings, the crowd continued to block vehicular traffic on Southwest 2nd Avenue as well as Southwest 3rd Avenue at Southwest Main Street.

A passenger vehicle associated with the group stopped near the sally port doors and a passenger exited the vehicle and added accelerant to the fires. The vehicle was later stopped and the passenger was cited for reckless burning and arson 1.

Portland Police along with Portland Fire moved in to the area of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street and Firefighters addressed the fire. After the fire was out, officers and firefighters left the area.

The group continued to stand in the street and block vehicular traffic. Members of the group also continued to light small fires. Once again the group was warned over loudspeaker to vacate the roadway or they would be subject to use of force, including crowd control agent, tear gas, and impact weapons. The group continued to stand in the roadway and officers arrived on scene and made some targeted arrests.

The group began to leave the area and was mostly dispersed by 12:30 a.m.

The Portland Police Bureau did not use crowd control munitions or CS (tear) gas.

The following person was cited on listed charges:
*Talbot, Rachel Lee, 18-year-old, Reckless Burning, Arson 1

The following people were arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on listed charges:
*Reinhardt, Zachary, 29-year-old of Portland, Oregon, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II
*Bowen, Justin, 25-year-old of Portland, Oregon, Reckless Burning