They were there to hear speakers from Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco talk about civil rights, poverty and unemployment, institutionalized discrimination, and police brutality.
[2][3] In addition to other activist leaders, attendees expected Eldridge Cleaver, Minister of Information for the Black Panther Party, to make an appearance at the event.
After days of rumors there would be civil unrest at the event, parents, ministers, and community leaders urged people to stay home.
The disturbance quickly escalated when the group moved to nearby Union Avenue and set fires, broke windows, and looted a stereo store.
Mayor Terry Schrunk and Governor Tom McCall alerted the National Guard and State Police and asked them to remain close enough to respond within 10 to 15 minutes if they were needed.