I was involved in another demonstration down
town Portland, when the police declared it a
riot, which it was not. But out they came in
full force. At first, they walk us backward down
the street, and then they ran at us, and then
they slowed down and then they ran at us
again. Some people were knocked down. I
was taking pictures in the middle of the street,
because the cops slowed down to a fast walk,
which gave me time to take the pictures I wanted.
Then, all of a sudden, a group of cops charged us
and I couldn't get out of the way, so they knocked
me down to the street and stepped over me. When
I hit the street my face did also, cutting me on the
right cheek. As in any facial cut, the blood covered
my face, making it look worse than it was. I was
treated immediately by a woman medic, who was
so incredibly kind to me. I had no other injuries,
except for a scrapped elbow. I wanted to get this out
to let people know I am fine because a video of what
happened may go viral, as it was put out immediately
after it happened. The attachment has two pictures.
The top picture was the last picture I took just before
the cops ran me over. The bottom picture was taken
minutes later of the blood on my face. I have other
pictures I took that I may put out because they are
more story telling of what happens when the cops
inflict more punishment when it does not fit the crime.
It is hard to tell where this is all going, as Portland is
constantly forcing the issue of police violence across
America. There was great African-American leadership
at this demonstration. Their stories continue to educate
every white person who I believe is honestly supporting
Black Lives Matter. The greatest protection we have is
the camera, and that is why all photographers are there.
Pictures record the personality and nature of Empire.
Mike Hastie
Portland, Oregon
Resident for 44 years
Army Medic Viet Nam
town Portland, when the police declared it a
riot, which it was not. But out they came in
full force. At first, they walk us backward down
the street, and then they ran at us, and then
they slowed down and then they ran at us
again. Some people were knocked down. I
was taking pictures in the middle of the street,
because the cops slowed down to a fast walk,
which gave me time to take the pictures I wanted.
Then, all of a sudden, a group of cops charged us
and I couldn't get out of the way, so they knocked
me down to the street and stepped over me. When
I hit the street my face did also, cutting me on the
right cheek. As in any facial cut, the blood covered
my face, making it look worse than it was. I was
treated immediately by a woman medic, who was
so incredibly kind to me. I had no other injuries,
except for a scrapped elbow. I wanted to get this out
to let people know I am fine because a video of what
happened may go viral, as it was put out immediately
after it happened. The attachment has two pictures.
The top picture was the last picture I took just before
the cops ran me over. The bottom picture was taken
minutes later of the blood on my face. I have other
pictures I took that I may put out because they are
more story telling of what happens when the cops
inflict more punishment when it does not fit the crime.
It is hard to tell where this is all going, as Portland is
constantly forcing the issue of police violence across
America. There was great African-American leadership
at this demonstration. Their stories continue to educate
every white person who I believe is honestly supporting
Black Lives Matter. The greatest protection we have is
the camera, and that is why all photographers are there.
Pictures record the personality and nature of Empire.
Mike Hastie
Portland, Oregon
Resident for 44 years
Army Medic Viet Nam