On May 25, Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd. After video surfaced of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, while three other officers stood by, mass demonstrations have risen across the country.

In Portland, the protests in response to Floyd’s murder have been aimed at racial injustices and a long history of police violence and brutality against Black people. From within this movement, a mobilized organization—Rose City Justice—has emerged and led the protests every day. 

“This is the biggest organic gathering of people demanding justice that I have seen in Portland in my adult life,” says Nkenge Harmon Johnson. “But an organization is not what brought this about—this brought the organization about.”

In the video below, produced by Rashad Saleh, we hear from organizers and protesters about why they’re taking to the streets.

Produced by Rashad Saleh; coproducer Aidan Cobb; colorist Hamza Hussain