Riot declared as protesters, officers clash in Portland

Police in Portland, Ore., declared that a demonstration outside one of its precincts was a riot early Saturday morning.

The Portland Police Bureau said that “multiple” arrests were made after between 150 and 200 people gathered outside the North Precinct Community Policing Center. Police said in a statement that police vehicles were damaged, traffic was blocked, and demonstrators threw bottles and eggs at officers. 

Police said officers remained far back from the crowd because no lives were at risk, though “selective” arrests were made after protesters, including some identifying themselves as members of the press, encroached past a closure area established by officers.

Police ultimately declared a riot shortly after 1 a.m. and moved the crowd away from the precinct. One officer suffered a laceration to her leg, and another officer’s ankle was sprained. Other officers sustained various “bumps and bruises.” 

Police said, “Crowd control munitions were used, but no CS gas was deployed.”

Saturday morning’s protest was the latest in a string of demonstrations that have occurred since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. Many of the protests have remained peaceful, but national attention has been focused on Portland after videos emerged of protesters being detained by federal law enforcement agents in unmarked vans, resulting in the protests swelling in size and intensity.

Protesters also clashed with federal agents outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on Thursday night into Friday, according to to The Associated Press. A riot had also been declared in the city last weekend.

President Trump, who has seized on the protests to advocate for his “law and order” message, tweeted Saturday morning that he would send the national guard to Portland if asked.

“Another bad night of Rioting in Portland, Oregon. A small number of Federal troops there to protect courthouse and other Federal property only (great job!). Wanting to be asked by City & State to STOP THE RIOTS. Would bring in National Guard, end problem immediately. ASK!” he said.

Another bad night of Rioting in Portland, Oregon. A small number of Federal troops there to protect courthouse and other Federal property only (great job!). Wanting to be asked by City & State to STOP THE RIOTS. Would bring in National Guard, end problem immediately. ASK!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020