Several cities in the United States prepare for more violent demonstrations and riots this weekend after another night of illegality and riots that lasted into the wee hours of Sunday morning, as Antifa and militia groups prepare for a further battle against police officers and protesters.
Tensions have escalated in recent protests against racial injustice since federal officials were dispatched to quell riots in Portland, Oregon, which have continued for more than 50 days in a row since the May 25 death of George Floyd while under police custody in Minneapolis.
AMERICAN MAYHEM: MORE RIOTING AND ILLEGALITY IN THE CITIES OF ALL THE UNITED STATES
While opposing, heavily armed militia groups in Lousiville, Kentucky, avoided violence during the protests, riots broke out in Portland and Seattle, following a familiar pattern of peaceful protests that turned into destruction and attacks on the police.
Protesters push a fence as tear gas unfolds during a Black Lives Matter protest at the United States Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse on Saturday in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The chaos in Portland saw protesters break a reinforced fence that surrounds the United States Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in the city center, police said. The courthouse has been a target for protesters, who have repeatedly smashed and damaged the building over several nights. Federal officials have recently been assigned to the building.
The large crowd outside the courthouse included the Wall of Moms and the Wall of Veterinarians. Meanwhile, a Portland resident told Fox News last week that Antifa has also been present at the protests.
Gabriel Johnson, a 48-year-old black man and retired marine, said that after he went to protest outside the courthouse with his American flag in hand on July 19, he was called racial slurs and members of Antifa followed him to his home.
“These people have nothing to do with black lives. Our black community leaders must stand up and lead because what is happening is that they are letting a group of terrorists who do not represent me use me, and that is not right, ”said Johnson.
People in the crowd Saturday night threw unknown rocks, bottles and liquids onto the fence, shining laser beams and launching fireworks at the building, police said.
As officers tried to disperse the crowd, police said they were beaten with bottles and paint balloons. People also fired mortar-style fireworks at officers from the ground and from parking lots.
Portland police said CS gas and other ammunition were used to help disperse the crowd. However, many people wore gas masks and used makeshift shields, umbrellas, and leaf blowers to try to thwart police attempts to break up the groups.
The crowd cleared just before 2:30 am, police said. Several arrests were made.
SEATTLE POLICE DECLARES RIOT AFTER PROTESTORS SET FIRE ON CONSTRUCTION SITE
In Seattle, thousands of protesters had initially gathered peacefully near the city center in a show of solidarity with other protesters in Portland. Those protests also turned violent and led to Saturday night.
Protesters walked through a fence where a juvenile detention center was being built, with some people setting fire to and damaging a portable trailer, Seattle police said.
At least one rioter went through a fence in the police department’s East District compound and threw an explosive device that left an 8-inch hole in the side of the building.
Authorities said they threw stones, bottles, fireworks, and mortars at officers as they tried to clear the area. Police deployed rounds of sponge, OC spray, and explosive balls.
At least 45 people were arrested for officer assaults, obstruction, and lack of dispersal, police said. Twenty-one officers were mostly lightly injured. An officer was treated at a hospital for a knee injury.
Antifa was also reportedly present in Seattle, where the members allegedly made a list of businesses to attack and destroy, the Canadian Post-Millenial news outlet reported. The list reportedly included Whole Foods and Starbucks.
The recurring riots in Portland and Seattle occurred as protests and violence developed in other cities across the country.
LOUISVILLE’S PROTESTS FALL INTO CHAOS WHEN ACCIDENTAL ARMED PROTEST SHOOTS MEMBERS OF THEIR GROUP, WOUNDED 3
Opposing armed militias marched during the day in Louisville, Ky., Where police officers killed Breonna Taylor in her apartment. Hundreds of predominantly black armed activists demanding justice met a counter-protest from a group of white militias. The groups avoided violence as the police watched with the entire riot gear.
Armed members of the “NFAC” march through downtown Louisville, Ky., Toward the Hall of Justice on Saturday. Hundreds of activists demanded justice for Breonna Taylor during protests in her hometown that drew opposing protesters from a group of white militias. (AP Photo / Timothy D. Easley)
Earlier in the day, a protester accidentally shot three members of his own group in a park where black activists had gathered, police said. The victims, all of whom were members of the “NFAC” militia group, were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A protester in Austin, Texas was shot dead, while another protester in the Aurora suburb of Denver, Colorado was also shot. The Colorado shooting victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said.
Protesters in Aurora also smashed court windows and a fire started in an office, police said. An illegal assembly was declared and the police ordered the protesters to leave the area.
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Law enforcement officers in Richmond, Virginia used chemical agents and sudden explosions to disperse crowds after a garbage container caught fire outside the headquarters of the Richmond Police Department, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Courts in two California cities were also targeted for vandalism, which included graffiti and broken windows. A fire was set inside the Alameda County Courthouse in Oakland, while police with riot gear confronted a crowd near the Los Angeles City Hall, according to local reports.
Dom Calicchio and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.
