Rose City Justice is Black-led, BIPOC-supported, grassroots organization committed to unifying local activism efforts in response to historical racial inequities by the justice system. Its mission is to bring awareness to the community, to reform systems founded on inequitable and racist ideals, and to demand justice in a non-violent manner. Rose City Justice has organized peaceful protests in various neighborhoods in Portland, including ones in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center and adjacent to the Hatfield Courthouse and participated in the Black Lives Matter protests outside the Hatfield Courthouse.
After the presence of federal officers and their use of excessive force against protesters increased in early July 2020, Rose City Justice focused its efforts on providing support and safety equipment to protesters outside the Hatfield Courthouse, including helmets, goggles, and masks. Members assisted protesters who were injured by the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades by federal officers against peaceful protesters and were injured themselves by these tactics. Several members of Rose City Justice have bruises from being shot with rubber bullets and experienced the adverse effects of tear gas. Being subjected to federal officers’ excessive use of force against protesters caused Rose City Justice to utilize its resources to support the peaceful protesters and deterred their ability to organize and engage in other protest activities. The federal officers’ presence in Portland also inhibited their ability to advocate for ending racial inequities, especially as it related to their efforts to divert funds from the Portland Police Bureau to other community activities.