Portland’s beloved Rose Festival almost took a tumultuous turn on Saturday morning as protestors attempted to disrupt the highly anticipated Grand Floral Parade. Despite the interruption caused by a small group of demonstrators, the event continued successfully, bringing together hundreds of thousands of spectators to celebrate the longstanding tradition.
The Grand Floral Parade, a highlight of the Portland Rose Festival, has captivated audiences for over 116 years with its vibrant displays of marching bands, dancers, and community groups. The Portland Medium and KBMS radio has been around to report on the parade since the late 80s. This year’s parade commenced at Memorial Coliseum and concluded in the Lloyd District, drawing families and friends from near and far to partake in the festivities.
As the parade unfolded, an unexpected disturbance arose when officers from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) discovered a group of protestors on the sidewalk along Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, near Northeast Pacific Avenue. Initially, the officers informed the protesters that they were allowed to be present but were urged not to disrupt the parade. The group seemingly agreed to comply with the officers’ instructions.
However, the situation quickly escalated when the group reneged on their agreement, defying the officers’ requests to clear the way for the procession of floats and marching bands. According to the PPB, the group became verbally hostile when approached for a second time.
In response to their noncompliance, eight individuals were arrested, including one person identified as Moncrief, who allegedly threw a can containing liquid during the arrest. The PPB subsequently charged seven of the individuals with second-degree disorderly conduct, while Moncrief faced additional charges of harassment, interfering with a peace officer, and second-degree disorderly conduct. Another individual was briefly detained but released before being booked.
Despite the interruption caused by the arrests, the parade swiftly resumed just minutes later, allowing the joyous celebration to continue uninterrupted. The determination of the event organizers and the resilience of the participants ensured that the spirit of the Portland Rose Festival prevailed.
