PORTLAND, Ore. -- At least five different rallies or protests are planned in different parts of Portland this Sunday afternoon, with four of them scheduled for downtown.
A large police presence is expected in downtown Portland because so many of the rallies are planned with conflicting messages and within close proximity to each other.
A Trump Free Speech rally is scheduled for the afternoon, and several groups are planning nearby rallies in opposition.
KGW will have live-streaming coverage throughout Sunday's rallies. Watch live-stream coverage here.
Noon Sunday
A demonstration called Defend Portland! No Nazis On Our Streets! is scheduled for noon at Chapman Square.
12:30 p.m. Sunday
Portland Stands United Against Hate is set for City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
Another rally, Portland Labor Against the Fascists, is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Terry Schrunk Plaza.
1 p.m. Sunday
Don't Shoot Portland has announced that it is holding a free barbecue Sunday at 1 p.m. at Dawson Park in North Portland, called "Black is Beautiful and Our Voices Matter."
2 p.m. Sunday
The Trump Free Speech rally, hosted by the group Patriot Prayer, is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. in the Terry Schrunk Plaza at 364 Southwest Madison Street.
Mayor Wheeler: Sunday's alt-right rally will go on as planned
Portland police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson the large planned police presence is partly due to online threats of violence between some of the groups.
"Due to these threats and the potential for violence, persons attending any of the events are discouraged from bringing any weapons (firearms, knives, etc.) or items that can be used as weapons (sticks, bats, poles, rocks, fireworks/incendiary devices, etc.) to any of the events," Simpson said in a press release Thursday. "Prohibited items may be seized by police and, if in violation of city, state or federal law, the possessor may be arrested and charged criminally."
He added that the city of Portland has not issued any permits for street marches, so participants planning to march should follow all laws and remain on the sidewalks. He urged the groups to act peacefully.
“We recognize the tension between these groups, we recognize the threatening speech going back and forth and certainly the entire community is trying to process what happened last week,” said Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Pete Simpson.
While police have seen no specific indicators that the events will disrupt traffic or transit, they do encourage drivers and riders to be aware of that potential and plan for alternate routes.
Simpson added that to goal of the officers on hand will be to provide a safe environment for participants and non-participants alike, and to ensure "the peaceful exercise of the First Amendment."
The following agencies will be helping the Portland Police Bureau ensure public safety on Sunday:
- Oregon State Police
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
- Federal Protective Service
- Department of Homeland Security
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- United States Attorney's Office
- Multnomah County District Attorney's Office
- Portland Fire & Rescue
Simpson also offered the following statements on behalf of the bureau:
The Portland Police Bureau intends to share pertinent information with the community on the day of the events through its main Twitter account, @PortlandPolice
Life-threatening emergencies should be reported to 911. Call 911 if you can; text 911 if you can't. Texts to 911 cannot include emoticons, emoji's, pictures, or videos. People near others who are preparing to or in the act of committing criminal behavior are encouraged to separate themselves from the group and notify police.
Anyone with information about criminal behavior being planned at any of these events is asked to share it by email to CrimeTips@portlandoregon.gov; or, anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Oregon by texting CRIMES (274637) - Type 823HELP, followed by the tip; online at http://crimestoppersoforegon.com/submit_online_tip.php or by calling 503-823-HELP (4357).