More than a thousand people protested peacefully in Portland early on Saturday, three days after a deal to reduce the federal law enforcement presence in the city. The change in atmosphere outside the federal courthouse, previously the scene of violent clashes, followed an agreement between Democratic Governor Kate Brown and the Trump administration.
Friday night’s protest echoed Thursday’s, which marked the first time in weeks without major confrontations, violence or arrests. The fence separating demonstrators from federal agents was decorated with balloons and upside-down American flags bearing ‘BLM’. Small fires were lit but put out by other protesters, and a firework that landed inside the fence fizzled out without incident.
Under the deal, federal agents from Customs and Border Protection, the US Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are withdrawing in phases. Oregon state troopers have taken over, and no federal law enforcement has been visible outside the Mark O Hatfield courthouse. As of Wednesday, federal agents had arrested 94 people; local police have made over 400 arrests since protests began.
President Donald Trump tweeted that the Department of Homeland Security “is not leaving Portland until local police complete cleanup of Anarchists and Agitators!” Meanwhile, Governor Brown said the withdrawal allowed local officials to protect free speech and Oregonians to speak out for racial justice. Leaders are pushing for measures addressing systemic racism, including a police review board and a Racial Justice Council.
The protests, which have continued for over two months following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, had previously seen violent confrontations after Trump sent federal agents in early July.
