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George Floyd protests: police declare a riot outside precinct in Portland George Floyd protests: police declare a riot outside precinct in Portland
(about 5 hours later)
Federal agents clashed with protesters, accusing them of damaging vehicles and throwing projectilesFederal agents clashed with protesters, accusing them of damaging vehicles and throwing projectiles
Smoke filled the air outside a police precinct in Portland, Oregon early on Saturday, as authorities worked to clear a crowd accused of damaging patrol vehicles, throwing projectiles and pointing lasers at officers. Protesters and police clashed in Portland before dawn Saturday, after about 200 people marched to a police precinct station in the largest city in Oregon.
Police declared a riot outside the department’s north precinct. Smoke was deployed and officers forced protesters away from the area, news outlets reported. Demonstrators threw bottles and rocks at officers and pointed lasers at them, damaging police cars and causing minor injuries, Portland police said in a statement.
Windows were broken on patrol vehicles, police said, and items such as glass bottles were thrown and lasers were aimed at officers. Videos posted online showed several people being detained after the riot declaration, but it wasn’t immediately clear how many arrests were made. One protester was given medical treatment at the scene after he threw rocks at officers and was shot with what police described as a “sponge-tipped less-lethal round”, the statement said. That protester was among nine people arrested. Three were charged with assault on a police officer.
Demonstrations – some violent, the majority peaceful – have taken place in Oregon’s largest city for more than two months, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in late May. Many protesters wore helmets, eye protection, gas masks and body armor and some carried homemade wooden shields, police said.
Demonstrations, most peaceful but some violent, have happened in Portland for more than two months following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in late May.
Across the US, such protests have sought reform to address police brutality and systemic racism and inequality.Across the US, such protests have sought reform to address police brutality and systemic racism and inequality.
On Saturday morning, from the White House, Donald Trump lamented “another bad night of Rioting in Portland, Oregon.”On Saturday morning, from the White House, Donald Trump lamented “another bad night of Rioting in Portland, Oregon.”
Trump’s decision to send federal agents to confront protesters caused huge controversy, as the president seeks to run for re-election on a law and order platform.Trump’s decision to send federal agents to confront protesters caused huge controversy, as the president seeks to run for re-election on a law and order platform.
“A small number of Federal troops there to protect courthouse and other Federal property only (great job!),” Trump wrote on Saturday. “Wanting to be asked by City & State to STOP THE RIOTS. Would bring in National Guard, end problem immediately. ASK!”“A small number of Federal troops there to protect courthouse and other Federal property only (great job!),” Trump wrote on Saturday. “Wanting to be asked by City & State to STOP THE RIOTS. Would bring in National Guard, end problem immediately. ASK!”
Early on Friday morning, protesters clashed with federal agents outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. People in a group of about 100 sprayed the building with graffiti, hurled rocks and bottles at agents and shined laser lights at police, officers said. Early on Friday morning, protesters clashed with federal agents outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. People in a group of about 100 sprayed graffiti, threw rocks and bottles at agents and shone laser lights at them, Portland police said.
The agents set off smoke or tear gas and used crowd control munitions to try to disperse the crowd. Three people were arrested.The agents set off smoke or tear gas and used crowd control munitions to try to disperse the crowd. Three people were arrested.
Also on Friday, a number of federal buildings across the city were closed as the FBI investigated a car bomb threat.Also on Friday, a number of federal buildings across the city were closed as the FBI investigated a car bomb threat.