Check Out Photos of Janelle Monae at the Don't Shoot PDX Rally in North Portland

Local activist group Don't Shoot Portland and R&B artist Janelle Monae gathered a crowd of several hundred people to protest police violence against minority communities this afternoon at Dawson Park in North Portland. 

The main event was when Monae and other members of her Wondaland Records crew sang the protest song, “Hell You Talmbout?” The song shouts out names of victims of police violence along with the title refrain, an expression of disbelief and outrage. 

Monae and her entourage arrived to the event late, giving other local activists and musicians time to speak and perform. 

Lamarra Haynes, a Portland State University student and activist addressed the crowd. "The energy here is really hype and people are ready to make a change,” she told Willamette Week. “We are protesting because black lives matter. We know people say all lives matter, but until our material condition reflects that, we need to keep fighting.” 

Other speakers included family members of victims of police violence in Portland and local community organizers. The Portland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union was on hand to help educate people about their rights when it came to protesting and dealing with the police.

Despite an invitation Monae sent out via Twitter, no members of the Portland Police Department attended the event. 

Monae plays a free show at Roseland Theater tonight. 

All photos by Zach Middleton.

WWeek 2015