Protesters shut down the southbound lane of Highway 99E, chanting, "Black lives matter!" as they marched to Portland Mayor Charlie Hales' home in Eastmoreland.
Amelia Templeton / OPB
Protesters with the group Don't Shoot PDX set up tents and camping supplies outside Portland Mayor Charlie Hales' home Friday evening.
Chanting "black lives matter," the group shut down a section of Highway 99E as they made their way to the mayor's house in the city's Eastmoreland neighborhood. Once there, the call shifted to "Charlie, resign now." The protesters have pitched a dozen tents on the sidewalk and said they are prepared to spend a night or two.
The demonstration comes on the heels of Wednesday's protest at Portland City Hall, where police and protesters clashed after the City Council approved a controversial police union labor deal.
The four-year contract guarantees pay raises for officers and drops a number of union grievances filed against the city. Protesters say the agreement doesn't do enough to ensure that officers who use excessive force will be disciplined or fired. They also say a related agreement over body camera use had no public oversight.
Protesters have called on the mayor — who has just over two months left in office — to resign and let mayor-elect Ted Wheeler renegotiate the contract.
