WATCH: Portland protest turns chaotic with businesses trashed, fist fights on the street and bike cops slamming into ‘press’
At least two arrests were made after a mostly peaceful protest in Portland turned violent. Banks and other businesses were trashed as beleaguered residents pleaded with protesters to “go home!” and leave them in peace.
A group of dozens of people were reportedly demonstrating against immigration policy under the Biden administration in the Pearl District in downtown Portland, but quickly began vandalizing the area.
Businesses had their windows smashed, vehicles were vandalised and graffiti was sprayed over a number of walls in the area, as video uploaded to social media purports to show.
A security vehicle has been smashed. Right after this video was taken the police on bicycles have begun to pursue the crowd. #AbolishICE#BLM#Portland#portlandprotest#protest#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/QNuY2ftjdt
— Bethany Kerley (@BethanyKerleyOR) February 28, 2021
“Banks suck” written on damaged Umpqua Bank in downtown Portland pic.twitter.com/3k2dBQ2E0X
— Zane Sparling (@PDXzane) February 28, 2021
Fistfights broke out at the mostly peaceful protest, after a sidewalk disagreement.
“I think you’re a c**n, how about that?” The woman provokes a fight with another woman here in Portland #Portland#Oregon#PortlandProtestspic.twitter.com/TKTelH2BRd
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) February 28, 2021
The women fight on the streets of Portland before more of the crowd returned to stop them #Portland#Oregon#PortlandProtestspic.twitter.com/nmxIvcYQws
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) February 28, 2021
Video also purported to show residents arguing with the 'protesters' telling them to 'go home' and berating them for haranguinging an old man walking with a cane as he crossed the street. As protesters shouted "Go home!" at the police, so too did residents shout "Go home!" at the protesters.
People who live in the Pearl are fighting back with words - yelling at members of the group to stop threatening an older man they are targeting. #koin6news#pdx#pnwpic.twitter.com/qGgGYnQP5z
— Jennifer Dowling (@JenDowlingKoin6) February 28, 2021
A Chipotle restaurant on Northwest Lovejoy Street was attacked with patrons still inside at approximately 9:30pm.
Overnight, #antifa destroyed numerous businesses in Portland's Pearl District as part of a pre-planned riot. People were inside this Chipotle at 1201 NW Lovejoy when antifa attacked the building. Watch this video with sound on. #PortlandRiotspic.twitter.com/2LfMAaSrjy
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) February 28, 2021
Several other businesses were trashed and at least two people were arrested: one 31-year-old male for criminal mischief and one 17-year-old male for interfering with a peace officer.
Portland Police declared the protest "destructive" at roughly 10pm and ordered the crowds to disperse and “immediately stop participating in criminal activity.”
Bicycle mounted police arrived on scene, one of whom crashed into a person wearing a 'press' vest, sparking a ferocious war of words and shouting match between police and protesters at an intersection.
Video of Portland Police finally arriving to the #antifa riot in NW Portland. An officer on a bicycle runs into one of the men standing in the street. He has "press" markings on his clothing. #PortlandRiotspic.twitter.com/O1BofCVEnd
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) February 28, 2021
Portland police said they had limited resources to respond to the riot, as they had to deal with multiple shooting incidents happening across the city.
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