Portland neighbors react as unrest continues outside police union headquarters

PORTLAND, Ore. — Serving as a constant reminder of the struggle for racial and social justice issues, another fiery demonstration descended on a North Portland neighborhood Saturday night, adjacent to the Portland Police Association building.

Portland Police said a group of about 40 people gathered the night of April 3, outside the Portland Police Association headquarters at the intersection of North Lombard Street and North Campbell Avenue in North Portland and lit some wood debris on fire. Officers arrived to clear the area and make way for Portland Fire & Rescue crews to put out the flames.

The charred debris was still at the site of the fire Sunday evening.

People who live in this North Portland neighborhood have watched the tension grow for nearly a year at the police union headquarters. Some told KATU News that they have stayed out of the protests.

“I’ve got to be neutral because I’m right here. We live in America, so you should be able to voice your opinion," said Craig Moore. "People have to sit down at the table and have a meeting of minds.”

Joe Terry said he's worried about the safety issues.

“It seems almost overly theatrical on both sides and recklessly so," Terry said.

WARNING: Graphic language in video footage

But Terry's perspective and insight into the issues has grown since the summer of 2020.

Large public protests took over his North Portland neighborhood, especially after the death of George Floyd, allegedly killed by a Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer who is currently on trial for murder.

In July, riots outside the Portland Police Association headquarters - the same site of Saturday's small fire - grew quite large. Protesters calling for racial equity and justice reform marched from Kenton Park to the Portland Police Association headquarters on North Lombard Street, marking more than six weeks of nightly demonstrations.

READ MORE | Arrests made as police declare riot at Portland Police Association headquarters

If anything, the fight against social and racial injustice is at the forefront of Terry's mind.

“[These are] things I would never have paid any attention to, so that’s a good thing," Terry explained, saying that he's more aware and involved.

KATU News reached out to try and talk to some who said they were in the crowd Saturday night but got no response. The demonstration was publicized by some as a reaction to recent police shootings both nationwide and in Oregon.

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Officers in Corvallis shot a suspect who police said was armed with a knife Saturday, April 3, and was trying to break into hotel rooms. Officers released the police body camera footage showing the confrontation.

Salem police shot and killed a man Friday night, April 2, who reportedly was threatening to kill himself, according to Oregon State Police. Neighbors say the man who died struggled with mental health issues and they questioned why there wasn't more mental health crisis assistance at the scene, prior to the shooting.

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KATU News called Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner with hopes that he'd talk about some of the issues raised during the fiery demonstration outside his union headquarters. He answered that he had "no comment" to our questions.