Mutual Aid is Shaping a New Future For Portland
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, protestors took to the streets of Portland, Oregon to demand accountability, police reform, and for some, complete police abolition. It has been almost a year since the death of George Floyd and protestors in Portland have yet to stop marching to keep the pressure on local and state officials. In the early days of the George Floyd protests, the protestors were scattered and disorganized. Protestors didn’t have proper protective equipment to handle tear gas and other riot control munitions, so they crowdsourced and began distributing respirators and goggles at a small scale. Slowly the once unprepared crowd of thousands began to protect themselves. Gas masks, helmets, and ballistic vests became common accessories for protestors. With most of the items being distributed on the ground for free, fold-out tables covered in respirators and goggles were frequently available for anyone in need to grab. Portland was beginning to take care of each other.
Within the first two months of protests, a group of protestors started a donation-only barbecue booth called Riot Ribs in Lownsdale Square. Riot Ribs were feeding anyone in the area who was hungry. This was my first…
