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Occupy Portland joined the nationwide N17 protests today, targeting downtown banks.

Police arrested several protesters who had entered a Wells Fargo branch as hundreds of demonstrators fanned throughout downtown.

They earlier massed at the Steel Bridge, where police said they arrested 25 people for disorderly conduct.

Like protests planned throughout the United States, Portland's demonstrators plan to occupy banks and financial institutions, and possibly other businesses.

The Oregonian's updates:

4:30 p.m.:

Sixth and Yamhill: Several people are on the ground, and appear to have difficulty breathing. Some are cleaning their eyes with water and cloths. A cop is giving directions. Protesters are getting their eyes rinsed with water on the sidewalk. Police are ordering folks to leave the street.

4:30 p.m.:

Crowd is chanting: Whose streets? Our streets! It took mounted horses to move the crowd. An officer used pepper spray. At least one person collapsed. MOre cops are moving in in riot gear into SW 6th and Yamhill. People are running into the street and then back to the side walk. Now they are standing on Yamhill facing riot police.

4:27 p.m.:

Portland police deploying pepper spray on Yamhill Street. Now the street is cleared. People are throwing objects at cops.

4:26 p.m

.: Southwest Sixth Avenue and Yamhill Street: Tense situation developing between police and protesters. Police use pepper spray on members of the crowd. A lot of pushing going on.

4:26 p.m.:

Police have deployed pepper spray.

4:24 p.m.:

Riot police clear off sidewalk as they begin to arrest protesters. They use their billy clubs to push back.

4:16 p.m.:

Protesters have left the Wells Fargo Center, appear to be heading down to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Employees left by a side exit.

4:15 p.m.:

Police loudspeaker announces that those who do not clear S.W. Yamhill Street between 5th and 6th Avenue will be subject to arrest.

4:13 p.m.:

Mayor Sam Adams said the city decided this morning to close the Steel Bridge to pedestrians and traffic, but allow the light-rail and bus system because the light-rail and bus service over the bridge is a "central point" for the region.

Adams said there have been 34 mostly peaceful arrests today, including the 25 at the Steel Bridge.

"It shows that at flashpoints, cooler heads have prevailed on all sides and I hope that continues,'' Adams said.

He said police overtime is at least $750,000, but the numbers of vast number of officers called in to be available - an estimated 300 to 400 - has helped the police bureau avoid the use of force seen in other cities, Adams said.

4:10 p.m.:

@Oregonian: Mike Reese says they are anticipating making several arrests in Chase bank near Pioneer Square. #n17pdx #occupyportland

4:09 p.m.

@katemather: Bike group now blocking ATM drive-thru at 4th/Columbia: #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

Group at SW 4th entrance to Wells Fargo Center chanting "Let the employees go!" "Come on out!" #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

4 p.m.,

@katemather:

The group of about 50 people who were at the Wells Fargo branch at Southwest Fifth Avenue and Taylor Street have moved to the Wells Far Center, 1300 Southwest Fifth Avenue. They're standing on the steps chanting: "This bank is closed and we ain't gonna go." A mounted police patrol is monitoring the protest. It looks like employees inside are locking the bank's doors.

@kathmather: Protester to others: "this is a peaceful protest," let employees out if they try to leave Wells Fargo Center. #n17pdx #OccupyPortland

3:58 p.m.

@PortlandPolice: Chief Reese will be on @KGWNEWS NBC Channel 8 at 4pm talking about today's demonstrations. #n17pdx

3:56 p.m.

@katemathers: Wells Fargo group now splinters, most heading up 5th, accompanied by mounted patrol. Some stay behind to "keep this bank shut down." #n17pdx

@PortlandPolice: 3 Groups. 1 Group at Chase Bank at Pioneer Square. 1 Group at Wells Fargo at 5th and Salmon. 1 Group headed to City Hall on 5th. #n17pdx

3:53 p.m.

@katemather: Protesters knocking on windows of bank offices, blinds just drawn. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

3:51 p.m.

@katemather: Mounted patrol across the street from Wells Fargo surveying crowd. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

3:46 p.m.

@kathmather: Employees inside Wells Fargo taking photos. One guy eating a sandwich. Crowd outside: "Big banks are domestic terrorists!" #OccupyPortland

@RayWhtehouse: Riot police enter Chase back door. #n17pdx protestors deciding what to do.

3:44 p.m.

@kathmather: Crowd in front of Wells Fargo cheers as reinforcements pile in at 5th/Taylor. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

@maxoregonian: #occupyportland Mayor Adams: "At flashpoints, cooler heads have prevailed on all sides , and I hope that prevails." Adams says Portland police overtime now about $750,000

3:42 p.m.

@maxoregonian: #occupyportland :Mayor Sam Adams reports 34 arrests (25 at Steel Bridge) today

@PortlandPolice:

A small group has arrived back at the Wells Fargo Bank on 5th and Salmon. #n17pdx



3:41 p.m.

@RayWhitehouse: #n17pdx protesters heading west on Sixth Avenue to Wells Fargo. Chase occupation remains. #occupyportland

3:39 p.m.

@katemather: Group still at Chase, but seems to have lost its steam ... until chants of "Wells Fargo!" begins and they move. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

3:32 p.m.

@RayWhitehouse: I count 48 #n17pdx protesters inside Chase lobby now. Chants rising in volume. No reactions inside branch.

3:31 p.m.:

@PortlandPolice: A march has started southbound on 5th and a group is also staying at the Chase Bank near Pioneer Square. #n17pdx

3:29 p.m.:

@katemather: A man sat on the Max tracks at SW 6th Avenue and Yamhill and temporally blocked a Gresham bound train. Bike cops pulled him away. The train came right up to him before stopping. Crowd thanks police.

3:25 p.m.:

Local N17 organizers claim their "direct actions, street theater and sit-ins" shut down seven banks and the Steel Bridge today with 34 people arrested. "The protests represent an elevated level of coordination within the protest movement, with numerous groups coordinating simultaneous acts of peaceful, non-violent civil disobedience along with a march of one thousand people," organizers said in a statement.

3:22 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse: 21 #n17pdx protesters inside Chase lobby. Demonstrators are chanting "Occupy until it's over" again and again and blocking the revolving door with bodies.



3:19 p.m.:

Chase Bank: Protesters have jammed the revolving doors with people so they can’t move. People inside are banging on the windows to create a ruckus at SW Sixth Avenue and Yamill Street. About 100 people are in front of the bank and another large number of people in Pioneer Courthouse Square taking photos. No police are with this crowd, but they are in the area.

3:16 p.m.:

@katemather: Crowd chants "We shut you down!" #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

3:14 p.m.:

@katemather: Riot cops, mounted patrol, paddywagons at the ready at 5th and Morrison. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx





3:10 p.m.:

@katemather: Riot cops, mounted patrol, paddywagons at the ready at 5th and Morrison. #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

3:08 p.m.:

The main group has left B of A and headed to Pioneer Courthouse Square.

@RayWhitehouse: Two #n17pdx protesters inside Chase. Small scuffle

.



3:05 p.m.:

@OBethPhoto: Sixth and Morrison @ Pioneer Sq. Closed other than riot police/busses.

3:03 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse: Riot police have moved in. #n17pdx protesters chant "this is what a police state looks like." #PPD are stoic.

@katemather: About two thirds of the group at Bank of America took off on Morrison Street. Just a few people let facing the riot police guarding the door. Police allowing customers to go into bank one by one.

3 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse: I've heard three #n17pdx protestors say Chase bank is the next bank to get closed. Focus remains at Morrison and Sixth. #occupyportland

2:57 p.m.:

@kathmather: On #OccupyPortland #n17pdx coverage now at 2nd/Morrison BofA. Riot cops just moved protesters to edge of sidewalk.

2:56 p.m.:

A line of riot officers are now standing in front of the Bank of America entrance on SW Morrison and Second Avenue. and is moving the protesters back away from the door, to the edge of the sidewalk.

2:50 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse: Riot police run toward Pioneer Square. #occupyportland

@PortlandPolice: Marchers are entering Pioneer Square. #n17pdx #opdx

2:45 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse:#n17pdx protesters splitting into two groups. Most going to Pioneer Square. Some remain outside BOA.

All but 15 people have left Bank of America and headed to Pioneer Courthouse Square. The dozen or so left continue to sit and block the Bank of America door on SW 2nd and Morrison. The others are sticking to the sidewalks and peacefully headed, possibly to have a sit down at Chase Bank.

2:42 p.m.:

@RayWhitehouse: Sit down of about 300 still going on in front of Bank of America at SW 2nd and Morrison St. Rocking out to music. Police are across the street. Crowd is doing a mic check: Look at the sun!

2:16 p.m.:

@Kelly_M_house: Most at waterfront have disbanded or returned to banks #OccupyPortland #n17pdx small drum circle remains

@TriMet: Green and Yellow MAX trains are resuming service on 5th and 6th avenues. Buses are also running on 5th and 6th.

2:15 p.m.:

From The Associated Press: More than 200 people were arrested, at least 117 of them in New York, at Occupy marches today, The Associated Press reports. The demonstrations were for the most part peaceful, with only scattered clashes between police and protesters. Most of the arrests were for blocking streets.

Thursday marked two months since the movement’s birth and signaled protesters aren’t ready to quit, despite the breakup of many of their encampments by police.

2:10 p.m.:

@PortlandPolice: A march has started again Southbound on Naito from Burnside Bridge. #n17pdx #opdx Marchers South on Naito nearing Morrison Bridge. #n17pdx #opdx

2:07 p.m.:

The march has wound back at the Waterfront where there are about 300 people. They are being directed into four different groups: one being support for those who got arrested; one group talking about the structure of N17 so folks know what worked; another group is a general discussion of how the march went and sharing their experience. The fourth group is poetry and conversation. Some appear to be leaving. Appears to be winding down. Some members of the group say they'll be going home, while others say they'll be going back to the Bank of America at Southwest Second and Morrison.

2:01 p.m.:

Battle of the signs at Bank of America at SW 2nd and Morrison. Protesters outside the bank posted a sign to the door saying: “Foreclosed” while workers inside the bank put up a sign aimed out saying: “Weird isn’t working.”

From Portland Police: Protesters at Waterfront Park appear to be breaking into small groups and dissipating. #n17pdx #opdx

From The Oregonian: The Occupy Portland protesters will form four breakout groups: jail support, debrief group, organizing structure tutorial, poetry and conversation #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

1:53 p.m.:

From Portland Police: The #n17pdx marchers are crossing Natio heading back into Waterfront Park near the Burnside Bridge. #opdx There is also still a group of #n17pdx protesters at 2nd and Morrison outside the Bank of America. #opdx

1:50 p.m.:

#occupyportland: Portland Police are headed to Bank of America near Southeast 122 and Stark, report of someone who bolted doors; fire enroute to cut lock off.

Update:

Someone wrapped a cable lock around the front door of the branch, Bank of America at 510 SE 122nd Ave. around 2 p.m. The Portland Fire Bureau arrived and cut it off within minutes. Bank official said there was little disruption.

Downtown, demonstrators are burning fake $100 bills in front of the Bank of America at Southwest Morrison Street and Second Avenue.

1:48 p.m.:

At Wells Fargo, at least seven people were observed being put in flexible cuffs, without resistance, The Associated Press reported. A police spokesman said 10 people got into the office.

A group of #n17pdx protesters have stayed behind at 2nd and Morrison outside the Bank of America. #opdx

B of A front, "banks got bailed out, we got sold out." Dollar bills being burned. Morrisison and Second

Speaker: "we have everything to gain, they have everything to lose" #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

1:40 p.m.:

@Oregonian: "We'll be back!" #n17pdx protesters chant as they move on from Bank of America on Morrison/2nd. #occupyportland

1:36 p.m:

@Kelly_M_House: Mic lady: we are going back to the waterfront #n17pdx #OccupyPortland we have shut them down

1:35 p.m.:

One "splinter" group of about 12 protesters arrived at the Bank of America at Southwest Second Avenue and Morrison Street about 1:20 p.m.

They said their plan was to go into the bank and be arrested, but just as they got to the building, bank officials locked the doors, so the demonstrators sat down in front.

Just as they did so, a larger group of marchers arrived, chanting "We are the 99 percent."

Officers on bicycles ringed the block, attempting to keep protesters on the sidewalks. Meanwhile, marchers jumped up and down and the atmosphere seemed festive.

"I'm glad we're finally doing this," said Theon Weber, 24, of Portland. "This is a concrete action against a name-able enemy."

He said that while many people think Occupy Portland demonstrators are against all banks, they are not. He said it's just specific organizations, such as Bank of American, that they are against.

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1:10 p.m.:

@Kelly_M_House: Scuffle breaks out to shouts of "the whole world is watching " #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

1:06 p.m.:

Confrontation brewing at Fifth and Alder

12:51 p.m.:

Protesters at the U.S. Bank opt to leave flag right side up at Vietnam vet's request #OccupyPortland #n17pdx

From Portland Police: The #n17pdx March has stopped at 6th and Yamhill. #opdx "We have not seen acts of violence. We have not seen people acting out" says Portland police Lt. Robert King.

12:47 p.m.:

Protesters take down American flag outside US Bank on Sixth Avenue, add small black flag.

Bank of America is closed at Fifth and Main #occupyportland



12:44 p.m.:

On to US National Bank at at Southwest Fifth and Oak #OccupyPortland #n17pdx From Portland Police: The #n17pdx March is heading North on 6th. #opdx

Police in riot gear are blocking the entrance to the Bank of America on Fifth Avenue.

From protester: "Does anyone have a cigarette I can borrow before we get arrested?" as the protesters mill about on the west side of 5th Avenue near the Happy Bowl Restaurant.

12:42 p.m.:

From Portland Police Lt. Robert King: People should expect some traffic delays downtown. Police don't have information on where the crowd will go next. Police are trying to keep people on sidewalks and keep intersections clear. Most people are cooperating, King said.

12:41 p.m.:

March is going around the block. 5th to Main to 6th to Salmon. #n17pdx #opdx

#n17pdx protester stands in front of Bank of America ATM. Bank is closed. #occupyportland

Crowd leaving Bank of America at SW fifth and Main #occupyportland

12:32 p.m.:

Green and Yellow MAX trains are stopped along the Mall due to Occupy Portland activity; buses are experiencing minor delays. Green and Yellow line MAX trains are operating along the Blue/Red line alignment along First Avenue, and Yamhill/Morrison and turning around at SW 11th Avenue. Riders should expect delays.

They’ve taken over the three flag poles in front of the Standard Insurance Center. The American flag upside down, next to it blue Oregon flag and pole next to it is flying a white veteran’s for peace flag.

#occupyportland #n17pdx took down flag outside Standard bldg, hung it upside down in signal of distress and hoisted it back up.

#occupyportland #n17pdx large crowd outside BoA ofc on sw 5th

#n17pdx protesters raise a "occupy the banks" flag at Standard Insurance Center. #occupyportland



12;31 p.m.:

March is heading westbound on Salmon. #n17pdx #opdx

-- The Oregonian