Firefighters hold Black Lives Matter rally in Portland

Firefighters organized a demonstration at Portland Firefighters Park where attendees also helped clean up the park

Madison Smalstig
The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.

PORTLAND — About 30 people gathered for a Black Lives Matter protest organized by Portland firefighters at 7 p.m. Friday in Portland Firefighters Park.

Attendees were encouraged to arrive early for the three-hour event to help clean up the park, either by sweeping the steps or picking up trash, and make Black Lives Matter signs, which they would later hold up for passing cars. They were also given black T-shirts that said “Fire Fighters for Black Lives Matter” on the back.

Some people brought their own signs or wore firefighter gear, such as a helmet.

Organizer and firefighter Jason Sharp said the event was organized about two days before the demonstration during an equity committee meeting.

“It was just time for somebody to do something so that everybody felt supported,” Sharp said.

The event was created so firefighters could support the Black Lives Matter cause, show support for each other and to spread some love, Sharp said.

The firefighters have a second demonstration organized for Saturday at 7 p.m. in the same location.

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Thanks to everyone who came and joined us tonight or honked in support of #BlackLivesMatter at Firefighter Park. We’ll be out tomorrow night from 7-10 pm. Join us if you’re fired up for racial justice! pic.twitter.com/saAS3KvJxd
— Portland Metro Firefighters 4 Black Lives Matter (@Firefighter4BLM) August 1, 2020

Thanks to the firefighters and friends who showed up and to everyone who honked in support of #BlackLivesMatter tonight. We are firefighters. We save lives. We think public safety is for everyone. And we believe Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/GpqWQY8SUn
— Portland Metro Firefighters 4 Black Lives Matter (@Firefighter4BLM) August 2, 2020