The department says the report accounts for the actions of officers during and after the July 25th protest.
It notes particular events in the timeline as law violations, saying officers “were stationed nearby and did not interfere with the legal protest activity at the park.”
According to the OPD timeline, the supervising lieutenant was notified during the event scheduled for 7:30 p.m. that Saturday at Turner Park that “some protesters may be carrying shields, and some type of action from the group was going to occur in 30 minutes.”
The demonstration was held in solidarity with the events in Portland while drawing attention to deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Omahan James Scurlock, while continuing calls to defund the police.
Police say about 150 to 200 protesters started leaving the park around 8:40 p.m. They were seen blocking traffic on Farnam and appeared to be occupying all lanes.
The report notes “the event organizer did not contact police for safety assistance and had not obtained a parade permit.”
That was when officers began listing law violations.
The police summary goes on to say as the group marched down Farnam, protesters were given multiple verbal warnings starting at 8:50 p.m. that the group was unlawfully assembled and all were subject to arrest.
Just before 9 p.m., OPD 9-1-1 communications indicated some groups were milling around in various locations in the Old Market, making particular note of "The Hive," which is where James Scurlock died in May.
In the Old Market, people were seen knocking over or moving construction barrels into the streets, and otherwise obstructing police vehicles, according to the report.
Police cruisers were also ordered to move closer to the group in order to block traffic “coming right at them,” and that others were “following the group with emergency lights activated.”
After several more verbal warnings from officers, the report states, organizer Alexander “Bear” Matthews yelled at officers through a bullhorn: “We are peaceful protesting.”
The OPD accounting states that at 9:36 p.m., all the protesters were on the 29th Street bridge over I - 480, and that another verbal warning was given, stating they were under arrest.
At 9:37 p.m., pepperballs were deployed after a bicyclist “rode his bike at the officers.” While officers were taking him into custody, another man was arrested for attempting to “interfere with officers.”
Officers then arrested Matthews, whom police say resisted.
According to OPD: “On-scene command made the decision to book the involved parties into jail out of fear that disturbances and potential further criminal activity would continue in the downtown area if they were cited and released.
The report goes on to say "It should be noted that at least 10 clearly audible warnings were given to the group. Most of the group disregarded the warnings and continued to violate the law.”