### Peaceful Protests Continue Outside Portland City Hall Post-Election

In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, Portland saw its third consecutive night of protests on Friday as people gathered outside City Hall, expressing their discontent. Organized by the International League of People's Struggle, the gatherings have largely remained peaceful, although occasional tensions with the police were reported.

"We're here to say we've had enough," said Cody Urban, one of the main organizers. According to Urban, the group would have assembled regardless of the election outcome, emphasizing the need for politicians to heed their demands. "We're here to organize, to show them that we have a voice, and we are going to make a joint demand, and we're not going to stop until our politicians listen to us," he asserted.

Despite the calm nature of these protests, downtown businesses remained cautious, keeping their storefronts boarded up in anticipation of potential unrest. The usually bustling streets of downtown Portland were eerily quiet, reflecting the heightened vigilance among workers and visitors.

Addressing concerns from local businesses, Urban stressed the importance of changing the public's perception of protesters. "While we are doing whatever we can to make sure that protesting and raising our demands is as safe as possible, it's clear that the business interests of this city are only trying to paint protesters who are angry, as no one but people looking to break things, and we're trying to flip that narrative to say we all have a message to get across," he explained.

Carolyn Pavlovic, another organizer, echoed Urban's sentiments and encouraged community engagement to dispel fears. "I think it's easy to be scared of people that you don't have connections with, right. So to business owners, you know, here in Portland and all over Oregon, I would encourage them to - to build with us, right," Pavlovic said.

Portland police have maintained a steady presence throughout the week's events, focusing on protecting free speech and ensuring the protests remain peaceful. Authorities emphasized their role in preventing any violence or property damage, aiming to keep the community safe.

As the city continues to navigate this period of post-election tensions, both protesters and police seem committed to maintaining a climate of peace and constructive dialogue.