Black Lives Matter March Fills Downtown Streets

They met at the Vanport Square Studio - named for the predominantly black section of Portland that was dramatically destroyed in 1948 when a dike along the Columbia River broke. Fifteen people were killed. Thousands were left homeless.

On Friday, they gathered to remember those killed in Tulsa and Charlotte - and to remind people once again that Black Lives Matter, a message they believe is often lost in Portland.

The march worked its way through the streets of Northeast Portland - headed to - and, partially through - the Lloyd Center Mall.

The chants of "no justice, no peace" and "hands up, don't shoot" echoed among the buildings.

Another emphasis of marchers is the recent murder of Larnell Bruce, a Vancouver teen who was killed in Gresham. His murder is being prosecuted as a hate crime.

There has been a heavy police presence accompanying the marchers, mostly trying to keep them from interfering with traffic. The protesters did briefly stop on the Burnside Bridge where they held a moment of silence.