8 people arrested after trying to disrupt the Grand Floral Parade

PORTLAND, Ore. — After weeks of events, the Portland Rose Festival's largest and most anticipated parade drew hundreds of thousands of people Saturday morning.

“It’s fantastic,” Jeffrey Vanzile said. “I love it. That's why I'm sitting here waiting for it; we've been waiting for this big moment.”

The Grand Floral Parade has existed for over 116 years, featuring marching bands, dancers and community groups. This year's parade started at the Memorial Coliseum and ended in the Lloyd District.

For some, it was their first time.

“It's really fun. I love how fresh it is right now. And overall it's a great experience,” Adriana Jimenez told KGW.

For others, it's an annual tradition.

“My aunt was a Rose Festival princess. All my life we ​​went to parades, and if it was a good year we went to all three parades, and my grandfather carried little wooden stools to the parade,” Kristina Perkins said.

Whether it's the first time or not, the Grand Floral Parade brings together family and friends.

“I am happy because the weather is nice and I am here with my mother, my father and my sister,” said Anabel Bernnabe.

“We brought our friends from the suburbs. We met in the southeast. We came here. I love the new bridge and we love a good time. Everyone is so happy on parade day, even Pika ” said Sally Shuey, pointing to her Pikachu cap.

“I love it,” added Jeffrey Vanzile. “It's a beautiful sunny day. It happens once a year… It's wonderful. It's fantastic.”

Overall, everything went off without a hitch, except for an early hiccup, in which eight arrests were made after protesters tried to block the parade.

According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), officers discovered a protest of “a few dozen” on the sidewalk on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Northeast Pacific Avenue. The officers approached the group, telling them they were allowed to be there but not to disrupt the parade. The group agreed.

However, the group quickly disavowed, PPB said, and when asked again to move away from the large floats and marching bands, the group “began becoming verbally hostile.”

A rescue team was called an hour later and one person, Rio C. Moncrief, “sprayed a drink” on a PPB sergeant and two officers. Later, a handful of protesters “bumped the officers in the line and took up positions on the parade route.”

Eight were then arrested, including Moncrief, who threw “a container containing liquid” during his arrest, PPB said.

Seven were arrested and charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, while Moncrief's charges included harassment, interfering with a peace officer and second-degree disorderly conduct. PBB added that a ninth person was arrested but released before being imprisoned.

The parade then resumed a few minutes later.

No PPB members were injured, police said.