Feds conduct surveillance from courthouse, analyze social media videos, post undercover agents in crowds, records show

Day 52 of Portland BLM protests

Protesters gather outside the federal courthouse and Justice Center in downtown Portland on Saturday, July 18, 2020, the 52nd consecutive night of protests in Portland. Mark Graves/Staff

Federal officers have conducted surveillance of protesters from upper floors of the downtown Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, analyzed live nightly video footage and posted undercover agents among crowds to arrest people on allegations ranging from shining lasers at officers to breaking plywood protecting courthouse doors, federal records reveal.

Federal officers also have shared some of their information with Portland police officers, who assisted them in at least one arrest earlier this month, the documents disclose.

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