Thousands of peaceful protesters marched in the streets of downtown Portland this week, much as they have for the last 60 days, chanting familiar slogans like “Black lives matter” and “defend Black lives.”
Conspicuously missing from the demonstrations Thursday and Friday nights were dozens of federal officers who have used tear gas and non-lethal munitions against protesters gathered outside the U.S. courthouse since early July.
Tensions have largely calmed since Wednesday’s announcement that federal agents would take a step back from policing the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse — a deal that Oregon officials hoped would ease friction between law enforcement officers and protesters who vowed to continue demonstrating until the agents left. Continue reading.