Hundreds of demonstrators gathered and marched in Portland on Friday night following the release of video that shows the deadly arrest of an unarmed man in Memphis earlier this month.
Five former Memphis police officers are now facing seven federal charges — including second-degree murder and aggravated assault after a traffic stop led to the brutal beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.
Dozens gathered at the Oregon Convention Center at around 7 p.m. before marching south along the sidewalks of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard a half hour later.
The group later joined a vigil that was being held at the Burnside Skate Park under the east end of the Burnside Bridge, where a vigil was being held.
“Not feeling too great right now, but I decided to come out here and do my part because of what’s happening around our country and the racism,” said protester Matt Sides. “The police brutality is just unacceptable. I feel like it’s right for everyone to get out here and do their part to show support and solidarity.”
The grouped swelled to hundreds as they marched north on Grand Avenue chanting Tyre Nichols' name. Soon after, the group, or part of it, marched onto the Burnside Bridge. Just before 9 p.m., the marchers had appeared to stop on the bridge, effectively blocking traffic, but a short time later they marched off the bridge and entered the west side of Portland. They made a stop at the Justice Center and then re-crossed the Burnside Bridge.
Portland leaders, including Mayor Ted Wheeler, gathered earlier in the day following the release of the body cam footage to denounce the brutal beating and call for peaceful demonstrations.
“I support those who wish to exercise their right to be heard, and I understand their deep concerns,” Wheeler said Friday. “I also want to echo the request of Tyre’s family and urge the community to do so peacefully in a nonviolent manner.”
There were no reports of damage or violence during Friday night's protest.