Thousands took to the streets of downtown Portland yesterday to express free speech in a large-scale gathering that concluded without major incident. The event, part of a nationwide series, started at Waterfront Park, where the crowd size prompted the closure of Southwest Naito Parkway, as detailed in a statement from the Portland Police Bureau.
At 1:30 PM, a sea of participants marched through the city's downtown and inner eastside. To ensure public safety, the Portland Police Bureau took the measure to temporarily close down the Hawthorne Bridge and the Morrison Bridge to all vehicular traffic. Officers from the PPB, referred to as "Dialogue Officers," worked in concert with march organizers to facilitate traffic control and guide the procession along the designated route.
The march, which circled back and concluded at Waterfront Park around 4:00 PM, saw the streets bustling with tens of thousands of placard-carrying individuals championing their causes. Despite the potential for disruption that comes with such large crowds, the collaboration between the Portland Police Bureau and event coordinators was recognized as key in maintaining order while accommodating the exercise of free speech.
