Portland’s downtown core became a scene of widespread looting and property destruction early this morning, following a protest related to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The unrest, which extended until nearly 4 am, saw rioters targeting numerous businesses, including the Apple Store at Pioneer Place, a prime location in the city’s central shopping district.
The initial demonstration, sparked by the May 25th police killing of George Floyd, took a destructive turn around 11 pm. As tensions escalated, some protesters set fire to the Multnomah County Justice Center, prompting a forceful response from Portland police. Law enforcement deployed flash-bang grenades and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the increasingly unruly crowd.
However, these measures led to a more chaotic situation. For the next five hours, downtown Portland experienced a surge of vandalism and looting that observers noted was reminiscent of the protests following the 2016 presidential election. The epicenter of the damage was concentrated within approximately ten square blocks of downtown, nestled between the Willamette River and Interstate 405.
Within this zone, the Apple Pioneer Place store, along with many other businesses, suffered significant damage. Rioters smashed storefront windows, gaining access to retail spaces. Reports indicate that looters ransacked shelves at a CVS Pharmacy, a local cigarette shop, and notably, the Apple Store. Eyewitness accounts described individuals fleeing the Apple Store with merchandise, and similar scenes unfolded at the City Target located within Pioneer Place mall, where people were seen running up escalators with stolen goods. Adding to the chaos, some individuals started bonfires in the streets, including one set ablaze outside a pharmacy.
Interestingly, while the looters were masked, reports suggested they appeared to be predominantly young and white. This demographic was noted as being different from participants in a peaceful vigil held in North Portland the previous Friday night, where a larger proportion of protesters were black. Amidst the widespread damage, some local businesses, such as the iconic Powell’s City of Books, were spared, seemingly untouched by the looters.
In response to the night’s events, Mayor Ted Wheeler has implemented a citywide curfew starting at 8 pm tonight. The images below capture some of the damage and looting that occurred in downtown Portland, including scenes from Pioneer Place and surrounding areas.
The events in downtown Portland highlight the volatile atmosphere surrounding the George Floyd protests and the challenges faced by cities in managing demonstrations and preventing property damage. The focus now shifts to recovery and ensuring public safety in the aftermath of these destructive events.
