Portland police held off from sweeping two downtown parks early today as thousands of chanting people converged on the city core to support the Occupy Portland movement.
A police officer was injured shortly before 2 a.m. by a projectile thrown from the crowd. As tension rose, police arrested a 23-year-old man on allegations of disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer.
At one point, police warned people that they would use chemical agents to keep control. People were pushing against a police line on several streets.
Before then, the crowd was peaceful and even festive at times as officers watched and directed traffic, but didn't move to clear Lownsdale and Chapman squares.
Mayor Sam Adams set a 12:01 a.m. deadline today to close the small parks, where tents went up Oct. 6 in the local version of the anti-Wall Street movement.
Adams and other city leaders said they were worried about the safety and health of Occupy supporters in the parks, where at least four people have overdosed from drugs and a man was arrested and accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the World Trade Center nearby.
The mayor and Police Chief Mike Reese said officers will be ready to make arrests, but hoped people will leave the parks peacefully.
Much of the tent city had been disassembled earlier Saturday, but some people hunkered down inside the remaining tents, vowing not to leave until police forced them out.
***
The latest from Oregonian reporters Maxine Bernstein, Lynne Terry, Stuart Tomlinson, Elliot Njus, Kelly House and Rachel Stark:
3:56 a.m.: At least 65 to 70 tents remain in Chapman and Lownsdale squares and Terry Schrunk Plaza, the federal park next to the two city squares.
3:51 a.m.: There's a brief skirmish on Southwest Madison Street -- one guy swings at another near Southwest Third Avenue.
3:50 a.m.: More from Police Lt. Robert King -- Police will continue to monitor the situation and it could be days.
"Right now we're in the midst of a situation we're trying to resolve. It may take some more time. We're going to work the very best that we can."
He says officers are equipped with bean bag guns and Tasers.
"By and large, this has been peaceful and up until about 2 in the morning, there were hundreds if not thousands in the downtown core, it was utterly peaceful. There was a person, a handful of people, escalating the situation. We thought it would remain peaceful and we'd bring it to the conclusion we wanted."
"It's not to launch into an assault or an attack of any kind but to do the very best we can to de-escalate the situation. It's what we here from the public all the time..."
"It's been violent in other cities around the country...I think most Portlanders would prefer that's not the way it's resolved.
"We certainly want to make sure our reactions are proportionate."
3:45 a.m.: Police Lt. Robert King says the officer was injured when the crowd began to push the row of officers back. There were so many people, he says, police couldn't hold them back. Some in the crowd were pushing against police with a pallet and at one point an officer was struck in the leg by a projectile and injured.
"We have taken considerable steps to manage this safely and peacefully ... we've chosen a certain course and we continue to try to do this as peacefully and safely as possible ... without launching into the crowd and creating a violent confrontation."
3:42 a.m.: A cluster of people are carrying donuts and coffee and headed into Chapman Square to feed the crowd.
3:42 a.m.: Clergy/vigil leaders rest on benches, they say they don't plan on going anywhere. They were worried during earlier tension, but now just wait.
3:40 a.m.: Fire alarm reported at Federal Courthouse. Portland Fire responding.
3:36 a.m.: Some people are sleeping on benches in the quieter Lownsdale Square.
3:27 a.m.: Protester standing on a light pole says: "We'd love if you could stay in the parks beyond 5 a.m. ... This is amazing."
3:25 a.m.: Lt. Robert King confirms: one Portland police officer suffered a gash to his leg from a projectile and was treated at a hospital.
3:26 a.m.: Talking to some of the crowd members:
One protester, Natasha stoudt, 29, a Portland State University student studying psychology: "I'm really inspired right now. I didn't expect this big of a turnout. Tonight has already exceeded a lot of my expectations." She added that she was prepared to stay all night.
Bradford Cern, 37, who's unemployed, held a burning candle from a ledge in front of a building on Southwest Third Avenue and watched as tensions rose earlier. This was his first time at Occupy Portland, though he said the.movement is something he's very passionate about. He stood on the peaceful side of the street "bearing witness." "I think I can do more good not getting arrested," he said. He also wore a red bike helmet, though he hoped the protest would stay nonviolent. "You never know what's going to happen."
3:25 a.m.: Police spokesman Lt. Robert King says police are playing a waiting game, hoping people will eventually leave.
3:22 a.m.: Lots of drum circles. In Chapman Square, recycle bins and buckets serve as drums.
3:20 a.m.: Police are asking people to go back to sidewalks and continue to remain peaceful and safe for everyone. Streets can be reopened.
3:15 a.m.: Cameron Matta, 23, charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and interfering with a peace officer.
3:10 a.m.: Police and protesters facing each other at Southwest Third Avenue and Madison Avenue. No one's making a move except for a couple of dancers.
2:52 a.m.: Portland deputy city attorney remains out, conferring with police outside Justice Center.
2:45 a.m.: A group of at least four mounted officers are lined up on Southwest Madision Street near its intersection with Third Avenue. The officers aren't moving, but are blocking the street. Members of the crowd are yelling.
2:45 a.m.: The parade of about 75 bicyclists returns to an eruption of cheers from the crowd as they ride down Southwest Fourth Avenue.
2:40 a.m.: Assistant Police Chief Larry O'Dea and Central Precinct Capt. are conferring on Southwest Madison Street, beside the precinct. Lt. Robert King, a police spokesman, is now wearing a helmet with a shield.
2:35 a.m.: Oregonian reporters walked completely around Lownsdale and Chapman squares and there is no police presence except for blocking Madison Avenue on the south side of Chapman Square.
2:34 a.m.: Portland police officers are lined up at Southwest Third Avenue and Madison. Protesters fill the street.
2:29 a.m.: Police have cleared the Justice Center steps.
2:28 a.m.: Police have retreated south on Southwest Third Avenue past the Justice Center and people are milling about on Third Avenue, blocking the street. Cars are stalled. Some cars are backing up on Third to get out of the jam.
2:27 a.m.: Police say injured officer will be ok. He was hit by a projectile thrown from crowd. Police are asking people to return to sidewalks.
2:23 a.m.: Police are trying to clear bystanders from the entrance to Justice Center.
2:20 a.m.: A speaker is urging people to congregate in Chapman Square. Says:
"Together we are too big to jail."
2:20 a.m.: On both Southwest Second and Third avenues, the crowd is pushing against police. Officers in riot gear are retreating as the people in the crowd exhort more spectators to take part.
2:15 a.m.: The police horses and van have left, and more protesters have spilled into the street at Southwest Second Avenue and Main Street.
2:07 a.m.: People are crowding the intersection at Southwest Third and Main Street. They're holding up cameras, recording the event. Police say they're going to use chemicals to clear Main Street.
2:06 a.m.: In case of tear gas, one man yells to the crowd, do not use water, use vinegar.
2:04 a.m.: A white police van with the loudspeaker is heading west on Southwest Main Street, telling people to clear the roadway, but the demonstrators are holding their ground.
1:55 a.m.: Crowd is chanting: "Non-violent!" Others chant: "I don't see no riot here, take off the riot gear! "I don't see no riot here, take off the riot gear!"
1:52 a.m.: Police lead a man away, under arrest, on Southwest Main Street and Second Avenue. The crowd cheers.
1:50 a.m.: Portland police say medical workers are responding to Southwest Third and Main Street. An officer is injured from a projectile thrown from crowd.
1:49 a.m.: Lots of people are discussing whether to risk arrest. The horses are in the middle of Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street, facing the crowd. They pulled back and the crowd cheered.
1:47 p.m.: The scene changes dramatically. Police on horses begin to ride into the crowd.
Police begin to tell everyone to leave and said that they would use chemical agents if necessary. Officers could be seen putting on riot gear, including helmets with shields.
Some people in the crowd begin to throw bottles at police, and some are chanting "put the guns down" at police.
Police are telling the crowd to immediately vacate Southwest Third.
1:46 a.m.: Police on horses are now at Southwest Third and Main Street, pushing into the crowd. Officers are putting their riot gear on. Crowd is riled up and shouting. A police officer gets knocked down.
1:43 a.m.: Demonstrators fill Southwest Main Street -- a man bangs on a bucket, another is keeping beat with a tambourine and others are dancing around.
1:40 a.m.: People are warning that police have begun pushing back the front line at Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street.
1:28 a.m.: People are eating cole slaw, smoking, talking about movies to pass the time.
1:25 a.m.: People are beginning to leave. Those going appear to be people who came down to watch. There still are many gathered on Main Street around the David Thompson Elk, but the perimeter has thinned out. Main is closed between Second and Fourth avenues, but traffic is flowing easily past on Fourth Avenue.
Many cars are slowing to check out the crowd. About 100 well-behaved bicyclists, most wearing helmets, continue to circle the three blocks in a very orderly fashion.
At least half the people down here appear to have just dropped by for the party. A group of drummers continues. The entire north end of Lownsdale Park has been cleared of tents, except for a few.
Several signs say: Tax the rich!
1:25 a.m.: City Council member Nick Fish, the city's parks commissioner, says in a TV interview: "It was important to put a hard marker down. ... we're going to get these two parks back."
Fish says he's heard from a lot of people who want to volunteer to clean up the parks and contribute money to do cleanup.
"There's a lot of damage," he says.
1:23 a.m.: "We're really, really just impressed with the city of Portland coming out and showing us support," says Jordan LeDoux, an Occupy Portland spokesman. He estimated the crowd at 3,000.
"We're going to continue occupying these parks peacefully," he says.
1:16 a.m.: Police Chief Mike Reese is at Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street directing traffic.
1:15 a.m.: Sign says -- "Spectators stay, police are waiting for you to leave."
1:10 a.m.: A lot of people leaving at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Salmon Street.
1:06 a.m.: The showdown seems most tense at Southwest Main Street and Third Avenue. Police and protesters are shoulder-to-shoulder facing each other.
1:06 a.m.: Tents are still up at edge of Terry Schrunk Plaza, a federal park next to Chapman Square.
1:04 a.m.: It's a drum circle dance party in the street between the parks.
12:50 a.m: Reports say Mayor Sam Adams is monitoring the mass gathering, but plans no interviews.
12:45 a.m.: Lt. Robert King, talking to reporters outside City Hall, said police have decided to use their discretion and not sweep the parks, but encourage people to leave the squares.
"We really would like for people to leave. Even though there's been a day and a time for people to leave, we have not engaged in a provocative action."
Camping in a park, King said, is a low-level misdemeanor that wouldn't warrant police use of force. "We want to continue this with the same sort of tone that we started with," King said.
Most of the officers out here tonight are working on overtime. King called it a "dramatic expenditure" that's already exceeded about $320,000 over the last five weeks.
Portland police actually had not planned to sweep the park at 12:01 am, as some protestors anticipated. Police may wait this out over several days.
12:40 a.m.: Jana Hughes, 36-year-old economics student, was sitting on a bench in Chapman Square with a friend wearing a yellow cap and slicker with a smile on her face and holding a candle.
“Amazing the sheer number of people who came out to support the movement,” Hughes said. She's been an occupier off and on. She said she wasn’t surprised the police were holding back.
“The police have been fantastic,” she said.
James Collette, a 26-year-old Iraq War vet, was also amazed at the turnout. “I think this is beautiful. I am really pleased so many people have come out tonight.”
12:30 a.m.: As the celebration continues, police appear to be spending most of their time keeping people out of the streets that were still flowing with traffic.
One interesting spectacle is the fleet of “tall” bicycles that seem to be orbiting the area, adding to the festive atmosphere.
12:29 a.m.: Portland police reporting that a fire truck is responding to the area for smoldering fire in a tent.
12:29 a.m.: Eviction deadline has brought more people to the downtown squares than any other time in the past five weeks.
12:28 a.m.: KOIN camera crew accosted at Madison and Fourth by man who then took off. Some crews have brought security.
12:25 a.m.: The Rev. Kate Lore, social justice minister for the First Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Rev. Chuck Currie of the United Church of Christ, who organized a vigil at the corner of Southwest Fourth and Madison, said they intend to stay the entire night, fearing that when the people leave, the police will move in and there might be violence.
Currie said he is deeply proud of the people who have been talking about social values and how they have been nonviolent. “We’re here tonight to be a symbol to protesters and police that we want everyone to be peaceful all night.”
12:23 a.m.: Police have now closed SW Madison.
12:16 a.m.: “There’s just too many people down here for the cops to do anything,” said Kate Menard, a Portland artist who came down to show her solidarity with the occupiers.
A parade of bicycles is circling the squares, getting cheers as they go by.
Police equipped with batons, helmets, shields and plastic zip ties are standing in a line on Third Avenue facing Chapman Square, against a backdrop of a sea of people.
The cops are telling people to stay on the sidewalk but the sidewalk is so jammed in places, people are spilling into the street.
12:15 a.m.: Portland police spokesman Lt. Robert King: "We're here. We're working hard to keep people safe."
12:10 a.m.: A protester shouts out: "Mayor Sam Adams where are you? You're late!"
12:06 a.m.: The crowd is chanting loudly: "Our streets! Our streets! Our streets! Our streets!"
12:05 a.m.: "We haven't gone in," said Deputy City Attorney Dave Woboril, standing with Portland Police Cmdr. Mike Crebs and Central Precinct Capt. Sara Westbrook. "We'll wait to see what the energy is."
Meanwhile, Portland officers standing in line along SW Second Avenue as traffic passes and hundred watch from other side of street.
12:01 p.m.: As the midnight deadline passed, what appeared to be several thousand people were massed near Sotuhwest Third and Main. As the hour approached, they counted down and when clocks hit midnight, a huge cheer went up.
The only police activity nearby was officers who were trying to keep traffic flowing on Third. There was no indication that they were trying to disperse the crowd.
Instead, the scene appears to have turned into a huge rally in support of the occupiers.
11:58 p.m.: Many people have left the parks on their own, but still 100s inside both. Police are just standing by at park corners, not moving in.
11:58 p.m.: A man in a yellow rain suit has a bottle of Andre champagne primed to pop. The kitchen is serving coffee. They are chanting "it’s our park." It’s a very polite, festive atmosphere. People are smiling, cheering. A very mellow crowd.
11:50 p.m.: Hundreds of people are now lined up across street from the parks on Southwest Second Avenue to watch as clock ticks toward midnight.
11:50 p.m.: People are drumming and chanting: “We are a tribe, we are a tribe, awakening.” The atmosphere is like Times Square on New Year’s. People are laughing and excited. One man shouts: “I’ve never been more proud to be an American and I’m sure these officers feel lthe same way.”
People are pouring into Main Street. The sidewalks are packed. A group is doing the hokey pokey on the southwest side of Chapman Square. The police are laughing. It’s lively and jovial crowd.
11:50 p.m.: After keeping protesters off Southwest Main Street between the two squares for much of the evening, police relented about 11:30 p.m. and let people flow onto the street and closed it off to traffic.
One man climbed the David Thompson Elk that stands in the middle of the street and waved an American flag. Below him, people milled about and chanted, “Hell no, we won’t go!” and other slogans such as “Whose street , our street!”
Nearby, a pair of musicians were helping a friend take down his tent, saying they were afraid it might get ruined during the evening. “I don’t see myself sleeping. There’s too much energy,” said one of the men, Justin James Bridges, a blue musician from Texas who now lives in Portland.
With him was Sam Gustafson, a Portland guitar player. “I always worry that somebody might get hurt,” Gustafson said. “That’s what can happen in these things. But it’s all individuals here,” indicated that each person will decide how to act.”
11:48 p.m.: Groups of Portland police officers are at the corners of the parks just literally hanging out in teams of 8-10, riot gear on belt loops.
11:45 p.m.: Hundreds of people are lining the sidewalks around the parks, watching the spectacle. People in the park are chanting: "Join us! Join us! They can't arrest everybody!"
11:40 p.m.: The crowd has swelled to more than 2,000 and has filled Main Street. A man is standing on top of the stag statue in the center of Main Street, exhorting people to stay.
11:35 p.m.: One of the biggest tents in Lownsdale Square was holding about seven or eight people who appeared to be in their 20s and none of them were from Portland. One young man who would not give his name but said he is from aracadia in northern California said “we’ll stay here until we’re arrested.” “It’s not about Portland, it’s about Occupy.”
Speakers on the megaphone are coaching the crowd: “There’s thousands of people here. Portland has shown up.” Cheers erupt.
“At the end of the day, when they come we should be standing, we should be together, and we should say, that we are the 99 percent!”
11:30 p.m.: Occupy Portland has turned into a combination of revival meeting, protest and the worst, wettest camping trip you’ve ever been on. Chapman Park is a sea of mud filled with chanting, and in many cases, inebriated revelers. About half the tents appear to remain. Lownsdale is the less crowded of the two parks where people, some wearing masks and bandanas, are drenched by heavy showers. Almost everyone appears to have a camera and they are taking pictures of each other.
A group of Occupy Portland participants are surrounding a soldier in dress blues who is being interviewed by independent media.
11:15 p.m. About two dozen protesters on bicycles have arrived in the square. Chief Michael Reese walked past and into the crowd. Chapman Square is a muddy bog covered with yellow leaves under steady rain. Police are keeping Main Street between the squares open. The sidewalk on Southwest Third Avenue is piled high with cartons and tables and belongings. The squares are packed, mostly young men.
Clergy are parading around the square holding candles, followed by another group of protesters carrying candles. A few protesters are wearing bandanas over their mouths. People are milling about and clusters chanting: "This is what democracy looks like." Groups of police are all over, mostly on the outside of the squares.
"I lived here all my life and have never seen anything like this," said Lee Hall, of Beaverton, standing on corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Madison Street, under an umbrella.
11:10 p.m.: "I lived here all my life and have never seen anything like this," said Lee Hall of Beaverton, standing on corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Madison Street, under an umbrella. The 48-year-old said he came out just to witness the spectacle. "I think this is all because of the deadline set," Hall said. "It's just a big show."
A police officer was injured shortly before 2 a.m. by a projectile thrown from the crowd. As tension rose, police arrested a 23-year-old man on allegations of disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer.
At one point, police warned people that they would use chemical agents to keep control. People were pushing against a police line on several streets.
Before then, the crowd was peaceful and even festive at times as officers watched and directed traffic, but didn't move to clear Lownsdale and Chapman squares.
Mayor Sam Adams set a 12:01 a.m. deadline today to close the small parks, where tents went up Oct. 6 in the local version of the anti-Wall Street movement.
Adams and other city leaders said they were worried about the safety and health of Occupy supporters in the parks, where at least four people have overdosed from drugs and a man was arrested and accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the World Trade Center nearby.
The mayor and Police Chief Mike Reese said officers will be ready to make arrests, but hoped people will leave the parks peacefully.
Much of the tent city had been disassembled earlier Saturday, but some people hunkered down inside the remaining tents, vowing not to leave until police forced them out.
***
The latest from Oregonian reporters Maxine Bernstein, Lynne Terry, Stuart Tomlinson, Elliot Njus, Kelly House and Rachel Stark:
3:56 a.m.: At least 65 to 70 tents remain in Chapman and Lownsdale squares and Terry Schrunk Plaza, the federal park next to the two city squares.
3:51 a.m.: There's a brief skirmish on Southwest Madison Street -- one guy swings at another near Southwest Third Avenue.
3:50 a.m.: More from Police Lt. Robert King -- Police will continue to monitor the situation and it could be days.
"Right now we're in the midst of a situation we're trying to resolve. It may take some more time. We're going to work the very best that we can."
He says officers are equipped with bean bag guns and Tasers.
"By and large, this has been peaceful and up until about 2 in the morning, there were hundreds if not thousands in the downtown core, it was utterly peaceful. There was a person, a handful of people, escalating the situation. We thought it would remain peaceful and we'd bring it to the conclusion we wanted."
"It's not to launch into an assault or an attack of any kind but to do the very best we can to de-escalate the situation. It's what we here from the public all the time..."
"It's been violent in other cities around the country...I think most Portlanders would prefer that's not the way it's resolved.
"We certainly want to make sure our reactions are proportionate."
3:45 a.m.: Police Lt. Robert King says the officer was injured when the crowd began to push the row of officers back. There were so many people, he says, police couldn't hold them back. Some in the crowd were pushing against police with a pallet and at one point an officer was struck in the leg by a projectile and injured.
"We have taken considerable steps to manage this safely and peacefully ... we've chosen a certain course and we continue to try to do this as peacefully and safely as possible ... without launching into the crowd and creating a violent confrontation."
3:42 a.m.: A cluster of people are carrying donuts and coffee and headed into Chapman Square to feed the crowd.
3:42 a.m.: Clergy/vigil leaders rest on benches, they say they don't plan on going anywhere. They were worried during earlier tension, but now just wait.
3:40 a.m.: Fire alarm reported at Federal Courthouse. Portland Fire responding.
3:36 a.m.: Some people are sleeping on benches in the quieter Lownsdale Square.
3:27 a.m.: Protester standing on a light pole says: "We'd love if you could stay in the parks beyond 5 a.m. ... This is amazing."
3:25 a.m.: Lt. Robert King confirms: one Portland police officer suffered a gash to his leg from a projectile and was treated at a hospital.
3:26 a.m.: Talking to some of the crowd members:
One protester, Natasha stoudt, 29, a Portland State University student studying psychology: "I'm really inspired right now. I didn't expect this big of a turnout. Tonight has already exceeded a lot of my expectations." She added that she was prepared to stay all night.
Bradford Cern, 37, who's unemployed, held a burning candle from a ledge in front of a building on Southwest Third Avenue and watched as tensions rose earlier. This was his first time at Occupy Portland, though he said the.movement is something he's very passionate about. He stood on the peaceful side of the street "bearing witness." "I think I can do more good not getting arrested," he said. He also wore a red bike helmet, though he hoped the protest would stay nonviolent. "You never know what's going to happen."
3:25 a.m.: Police spokesman Lt. Robert King says police are playing a waiting game, hoping people will eventually leave.
3:22 a.m.: Lots of drum circles. In Chapman Square, recycle bins and buckets serve as drums.
3:20 a.m.: Police are asking people to go back to sidewalks and continue to remain peaceful and safe for everyone. Streets can be reopened.
3:15 a.m.: Cameron Matta, 23, charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and interfering with a peace officer.
3:10 a.m.: Police and protesters facing each other at Southwest Third Avenue and Madison Avenue. No one's making a move except for a couple of dancers.
2:52 a.m.: Portland deputy city attorney remains out, conferring with police outside Justice Center.
2:45 a.m.: A group of at least four mounted officers are lined up on Southwest Madision Street near its intersection with Third Avenue. The officers aren't moving, but are blocking the street. Members of the crowd are yelling.
2:45 a.m.: The parade of about 75 bicyclists returns to an eruption of cheers from the crowd as they ride down Southwest Fourth Avenue.
2:40 a.m.: Assistant Police Chief Larry O'Dea and Central Precinct Capt. are conferring on Southwest Madison Street, beside the precinct. Lt. Robert King, a police spokesman, is now wearing a helmet with a shield.
2:35 a.m.: Oregonian reporters walked completely around Lownsdale and Chapman squares and there is no police presence except for blocking Madison Avenue on the south side of Chapman Square.
2:34 a.m.: Portland police officers are lined up at Southwest Third Avenue and Madison. Protesters fill the street.
2:29 a.m.: Police have cleared the Justice Center steps.
2:28 a.m.: Police have retreated south on Southwest Third Avenue past the Justice Center and people are milling about on Third Avenue, blocking the street. Cars are stalled. Some cars are backing up on Third to get out of the jam.
2:27 a.m.: Police say injured officer will be ok. He was hit by a projectile thrown from crowd. Police are asking people to return to sidewalks.
2:23 a.m.: Police are trying to clear bystanders from the entrance to Justice Center.
2:20 a.m.: A speaker is urging people to congregate in Chapman Square. Says:
"Together we are too big to jail."
2:20 a.m.: On both Southwest Second and Third avenues, the crowd is pushing against police. Officers in riot gear are retreating as the people in the crowd exhort more spectators to take part.
2:15 a.m.: The police horses and van have left, and more protesters have spilled into the street at Southwest Second Avenue and Main Street.
2:07 a.m.: People are crowding the intersection at Southwest Third and Main Street. They're holding up cameras, recording the event. Police say they're going to use chemicals to clear Main Street.
2:06 a.m.: In case of tear gas, one man yells to the crowd, do not use water, use vinegar.
2:04 a.m.: A white police van with the loudspeaker is heading west on Southwest Main Street, telling people to clear the roadway, but the demonstrators are holding their ground.
1:55 a.m.: Crowd is chanting: "Non-violent!" Others chant: "I don't see no riot here, take off the riot gear! "I don't see no riot here, take off the riot gear!"
1:52 a.m.: Police lead a man away, under arrest, on Southwest Main Street and Second Avenue. The crowd cheers.
1:50 a.m.: Portland police say medical workers are responding to Southwest Third and Main Street. An officer is injured from a projectile thrown from crowd.
1:49 a.m.: Lots of people are discussing whether to risk arrest. The horses are in the middle of Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street, facing the crowd. They pulled back and the crowd cheered.
1:47 p.m.: The scene changes dramatically. Police on horses begin to ride into the crowd.
Police begin to tell everyone to leave and said that they would use chemical agents if necessary. Officers could be seen putting on riot gear, including helmets with shields.
Some people in the crowd begin to throw bottles at police, and some are chanting "put the guns down" at police.
Police are telling the crowd to immediately vacate Southwest Third.
1:46 a.m.: Police on horses are now at Southwest Third and Main Street, pushing into the crowd. Officers are putting their riot gear on. Crowd is riled up and shouting. A police officer gets knocked down.
1:43 a.m.: Demonstrators fill Southwest Main Street -- a man bangs on a bucket, another is keeping beat with a tambourine and others are dancing around.
1:40 a.m.: People are warning that police have begun pushing back the front line at Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street.
1:28 a.m.: People are eating cole slaw, smoking, talking about movies to pass the time.
1:25 a.m.: People are beginning to leave. Those going appear to be people who came down to watch. There still are many gathered on Main Street around the David Thompson Elk, but the perimeter has thinned out. Main is closed between Second and Fourth avenues, but traffic is flowing easily past on Fourth Avenue.
Many cars are slowing to check out the crowd. About 100 well-behaved bicyclists, most wearing helmets, continue to circle the three blocks in a very orderly fashion.
At least half the people down here appear to have just dropped by for the party. A group of drummers continues. The entire north end of Lownsdale Park has been cleared of tents, except for a few.
Several signs say: Tax the rich!
1:25 a.m.: City Council member Nick Fish, the city's parks commissioner, says in a TV interview: "It was important to put a hard marker down. ... we're going to get these two parks back."
Fish says he's heard from a lot of people who want to volunteer to clean up the parks and contribute money to do cleanup.
"There's a lot of damage," he says.
1:23 a.m.: "We're really, really just impressed with the city of Portland coming out and showing us support," says Jordan LeDoux, an Occupy Portland spokesman. He estimated the crowd at 3,000.
"We're going to continue occupying these parks peacefully," he says.
1:16 a.m.: Police Chief Mike Reese is at Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street directing traffic.
1:15 a.m.: Sign says -- "Spectators stay, police are waiting for you to leave."
1:10 a.m.: A lot of people leaving at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Salmon Street.
1:06 a.m.: The showdown seems most tense at Southwest Main Street and Third Avenue. Police and protesters are shoulder-to-shoulder facing each other.
1:06 a.m.: Tents are still up at edge of Terry Schrunk Plaza, a federal park next to Chapman Square.
1:04 a.m.: It's a drum circle dance party in the street between the parks.
12:50 a.m: Reports say Mayor Sam Adams is monitoring the mass gathering, but plans no interviews.
12:45 a.m.: Lt. Robert King, talking to reporters outside City Hall, said police have decided to use their discretion and not sweep the parks, but encourage people to leave the squares.
"We really would like for people to leave. Even though there's been a day and a time for people to leave, we have not engaged in a provocative action."
Camping in a park, King said, is a low-level misdemeanor that wouldn't warrant police use of force. "We want to continue this with the same sort of tone that we started with," King said.
Most of the officers out here tonight are working on overtime. King called it a "dramatic expenditure" that's already exceeded about $320,000 over the last five weeks.
Portland police actually had not planned to sweep the park at 12:01 am, as some protestors anticipated. Police may wait this out over several days.
12:40 a.m.: Jana Hughes, 36-year-old economics student, was sitting on a bench in Chapman Square with a friend wearing a yellow cap and slicker with a smile on her face and holding a candle.
“Amazing the sheer number of people who came out to support the movement,” Hughes said. She's been an occupier off and on. She said she wasn’t surprised the police were holding back.
“The police have been fantastic,” she said.
James Collette, a 26-year-old Iraq War vet, was also amazed at the turnout. “I think this is beautiful. I am really pleased so many people have come out tonight.”
12:30 a.m.: As the celebration continues, police appear to be spending most of their time keeping people out of the streets that were still flowing with traffic.
One interesting spectacle is the fleet of “tall” bicycles that seem to be orbiting the area, adding to the festive atmosphere.
12:29 a.m.: Portland police reporting that a fire truck is responding to the area for smoldering fire in a tent.
12:29 a.m.: Eviction deadline has brought more people to the downtown squares than any other time in the past five weeks.
12:28 a.m.: KOIN camera crew accosted at Madison and Fourth by man who then took off. Some crews have brought security.
12:25 a.m.: The Rev. Kate Lore, social justice minister for the First Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Rev. Chuck Currie of the United Church of Christ, who organized a vigil at the corner of Southwest Fourth and Madison, said they intend to stay the entire night, fearing that when the people leave, the police will move in and there might be violence.
Currie said he is deeply proud of the people who have been talking about social values and how they have been nonviolent. “We’re here tonight to be a symbol to protesters and police that we want everyone to be peaceful all night.”
12:23 a.m.: Police have now closed SW Madison.
12:16 a.m.: “There’s just too many people down here for the cops to do anything,” said Kate Menard, a Portland artist who came down to show her solidarity with the occupiers.
A parade of bicycles is circling the squares, getting cheers as they go by.
Police equipped with batons, helmets, shields and plastic zip ties are standing in a line on Third Avenue facing Chapman Square, against a backdrop of a sea of people.
The cops are telling people to stay on the sidewalk but the sidewalk is so jammed in places, people are spilling into the street.
12:15 a.m.: Portland police spokesman Lt. Robert King: "We're here. We're working hard to keep people safe."
12:10 a.m.: A protester shouts out: "Mayor Sam Adams where are you? You're late!"
12:06 a.m.: The crowd is chanting loudly: "Our streets! Our streets! Our streets! Our streets!"
12:05 a.m.: "We haven't gone in," said Deputy City Attorney Dave Woboril, standing with Portland Police Cmdr. Mike Crebs and Central Precinct Capt. Sara Westbrook. "We'll wait to see what the energy is."
Meanwhile, Portland officers standing in line along SW Second Avenue as traffic passes and hundred watch from other side of street.
12:01 p.m.: As the midnight deadline passed, what appeared to be several thousand people were massed near Sotuhwest Third and Main. As the hour approached, they counted down and when clocks hit midnight, a huge cheer went up.
The only police activity nearby was officers who were trying to keep traffic flowing on Third. There was no indication that they were trying to disperse the crowd.
Instead, the scene appears to have turned into a huge rally in support of the occupiers.
11:58 p.m.: Many people have left the parks on their own, but still 100s inside both. Police are just standing by at park corners, not moving in.
11:58 p.m.: A man in a yellow rain suit has a bottle of Andre champagne primed to pop. The kitchen is serving coffee. They are chanting "it’s our park." It’s a very polite, festive atmosphere. People are smiling, cheering. A very mellow crowd.
11:50 p.m.: Hundreds of people are now lined up across street from the parks on Southwest Second Avenue to watch as clock ticks toward midnight.
11:50 p.m.: People are drumming and chanting: “We are a tribe, we are a tribe, awakening.” The atmosphere is like Times Square on New Year’s. People are laughing and excited. One man shouts: “I’ve never been more proud to be an American and I’m sure these officers feel lthe same way.”
People are pouring into Main Street. The sidewalks are packed. A group is doing the hokey pokey on the southwest side of Chapman Square. The police are laughing. It’s lively and jovial crowd.
11:50 p.m.: After keeping protesters off Southwest Main Street between the two squares for much of the evening, police relented about 11:30 p.m. and let people flow onto the street and closed it off to traffic.
One man climbed the David Thompson Elk that stands in the middle of the street and waved an American flag. Below him, people milled about and chanted, “Hell no, we won’t go!” and other slogans such as “Whose street , our street!”
Nearby, a pair of musicians were helping a friend take down his tent, saying they were afraid it might get ruined during the evening. “I don’t see myself sleeping. There’s too much energy,” said one of the men, Justin James Bridges, a blue musician from Texas who now lives in Portland.
With him was Sam Gustafson, a Portland guitar player. “I always worry that somebody might get hurt,” Gustafson said. “That’s what can happen in these things. But it’s all individuals here,” indicated that each person will decide how to act.”
11:48 p.m.: Groups of Portland police officers are at the corners of the parks just literally hanging out in teams of 8-10, riot gear on belt loops.
11:45 p.m.: Hundreds of people are lining the sidewalks around the parks, watching the spectacle. People in the park are chanting: "Join us! Join us! They can't arrest everybody!"
11:40 p.m.: The crowd has swelled to more than 2,000 and has filled Main Street. A man is standing on top of the stag statue in the center of Main Street, exhorting people to stay.
11:35 p.m.: One of the biggest tents in Lownsdale Square was holding about seven or eight people who appeared to be in their 20s and none of them were from Portland. One young man who would not give his name but said he is from aracadia in northern California said “we’ll stay here until we’re arrested.” “It’s not about Portland, it’s about Occupy.”
Speakers on the megaphone are coaching the crowd: “There’s thousands of people here. Portland has shown up.” Cheers erupt.
“At the end of the day, when they come we should be standing, we should be together, and we should say, that we are the 99 percent!”
11:30 p.m.: Occupy Portland has turned into a combination of revival meeting, protest and the worst, wettest camping trip you’ve ever been on. Chapman Park is a sea of mud filled with chanting, and in many cases, inebriated revelers. About half the tents appear to remain. Lownsdale is the less crowded of the two parks where people, some wearing masks and bandanas, are drenched by heavy showers. Almost everyone appears to have a camera and they are taking pictures of each other.
A group of Occupy Portland participants are surrounding a soldier in dress blues who is being interviewed by independent media.
11:15 p.m. About two dozen protesters on bicycles have arrived in the square. Chief Michael Reese walked past and into the crowd. Chapman Square is a muddy bog covered with yellow leaves under steady rain. Police are keeping Main Street between the squares open. The sidewalk on Southwest Third Avenue is piled high with cartons and tables and belongings. The squares are packed, mostly young men.
Clergy are parading around the square holding candles, followed by another group of protesters carrying candles. A few protesters are wearing bandanas over their mouths. People are milling about and clusters chanting: "This is what democracy looks like." Groups of police are all over, mostly on the outside of the squares.
"I lived here all my life and have never seen anything like this," said Lee Hall, of Beaverton, standing on corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Madison Street, under an umbrella.
11:10 p.m.: "I lived here all my life and have never seen anything like this," said Lee Hall of Beaverton, standing on corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Madison Street, under an umbrella. The 48-year-old said he came out just to witness the spectacle. "I think this is all because of the deadline set," Hall said. "It's just a big show."
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