Five years on, Portland journalists reflect on 2020 protests

·31 min·3 clips

Oregonian journalists who covered 100 straight nights of Portland protests after George Floyd's killing reflect on the chaos.

This episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian features a retrospective discussion with three journalists who covered the 2020 protests in Portland. Host Therese Bottomley introduces the topic, noting the protests began after George Floyd's killing and lasted for over 100 nights. Photographer Beth Nakamura, reporter Zane Sparling, and social media manager Ryan Fernandez share their experiences. Zane recalls the first major night of protests, describing it as unprecedented and cinematic, with vandalism at the Apple store that was captured on video and replayed nationally. Beth discusses her hazy memories of the early days, including moments like smelling tear gas and seeing Joanne Hardesty. Ryan explains his role monitoring live streams from home due to COVID, which helped coordinate field journalists. The journalists talk about safety measures, such as buying gas masks, ballistic vests, and helmets for the team. Beth recounts an incident where a police officer shoved her with a baton and a finger, which she found demeaning. Zane mentions a similar experience of being shoved to the ground. The conversation shifts to the arrival of federal agents under President Trump, which reignited protest numbers to 10,000 people downtown. Beth describes becoming a conflict photographer in her own city, noting incidents like seeing a person with a rifle on a balcony. The journalists discuss tensions with protesters who viewed media documentation as surveillance. Ryan highlights the dichotomy between peaceful protests and chaotic moments that dominated social media. The episode touches on the fatal shooting of Aaron J. Danielson in late August and the impact of wildfires. It concludes with reflections on how social media algorithms shaped outside perceptions of Portland.

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