PORTLAND PROTEST: DAY 81

 

PORTLAND, Ore. — The 81st night of protests in Portland against systemic racism and police brutality started with a peaceful march through the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Hours later as tensions ramped up, police declared a riot, ordered the group of an estimated 300 people to disperse and started clashing with protesters out here in these streets. In one dramatic incident, police in tactical gear could be seen rushing into a crowd that was holding up shields, swinging at protesters. The night started peacefully enough around 8 p.m. at Laurelhurst Park for a "Direct Action March." The group grew as it reached the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at E. Burnside Street and NE 4th Avenue by 9:30 p.m. "No cops. No KKK. No fascist USA," the group chanted as it arrived. Many were dressed in black. Some were holding large, yellow shields with the image of black fist indicative of the Black Lives Matter movement. Talking through a loudspeaker, police on the scene warned protesters to not engage in violence, criminal activity or trespassing. As the night progressed, a small group from the conservative "American Wolf" arrived, saying they were there to observe. Words between the two factions were traded and something was thrown at a limousine that had the word "wolf" written on the back window. There were a couple of incidents of fireworks being set off outside the police building. At least one video posted on social media showed somebody spraying graffiti. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kgw....