A number of gatherings are happening around Portland on Saturday. PPB released a statement saying it encourages peaceful demonstrations.

PORTLAND, Ore. Portland Police Bureau released a statement on Saturday stating that Portland police will not discourage peaceful demonstrations tonight.

This comes after Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty released a statement criticizing Mayor Ted Wheeler and Portland Police Bureau for its actions after a candlelight vigil she put together at the Multnomah County Justice Center.

PPB's statement said it would stay clear of peaceful protesters. It claimed that late Friday night police dispersed the crowd because it was throwing projectiles, setting off "commercial grade" fireworks, and using pieces of fence to block Justice Center doors.

Beginning tonight, command from the Federal Protective Service will not work in the Portland Police incident command center, police said. Police and federal officers worked side by side to disperse demonstrators last night.

There are various events planned around Portland for Saturday.

Artists gathered at Peninsula Park on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. in Portland to celebrate and elevate art and music by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

The gathering, according to the Instagram post, was in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter and supporting movements. The post asked for people attending to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Then at 6 p.m. also at Peninsula Park, the Direct Action Alliance and other activists are holding an Abolish the Police rally. According to its tweet, it is asking people to show up in mass to demand the abolition of PPB and to protest the killing of BIPOC in America.

At around 8:50 p.m. a "Wall of Moms" dressed in white will march to the Multnomah County Justice Center to create a human barrier between Portland police and peaceful protesters.

There will also be a Black Lives Matter March for Justice which will begin at Holladay Park and march to Pioneer Square. The march will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

There is also a Black Lives Matter occupy event from 4-9 p.m. at Lents Park. There will be performances by Mic Crenshaw and gues speakers.

This story will be updated.

Read this article:

Portland Police Bureau said it will stay away from peaceful protesters - KGW.com