- Federal officials used tear gas and riot ammunition against protesters in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, according to multiple local media reports.
- Protests there have continued for nearly two months since George Floyd’s death, long after they faded in many other cities in the United States, The Oregonian reported.
- In recent days, President Donald Trump has ordered the federal government to step in, contrary to the wishes of Oregon officials, including the state governor and mayor of Portland.
- Visit the Business Insider home page for more stories.
Federal officials clashed with protesters on the streets of Portland, Oregon on Thursday night, despite fierce criticism of their presence by the state governor and city mayor.
Protests in response to George Floyd’s death have continued for nearly 50 days in a row in Portland, The Oregonian reported.
Protesters outside two separate federal buildings were described as boisterous but nonviolent this time by The Oregonian.
KOIN News local reporter Jennifer Dowling said in a video dispatch that federal troops used tear gas and riot ammunition against protesters.
—Matt Rashleigh (@Matt_KOIN) July 17, 2020
Authorities had previously warned protesters to leave, saying they had heard songs of protest about the burning of one of the federal buildings, KOIN News reported.
State Governor Kate Brown and City Mayor Ted Wheeler, both members of the Democratic party, are among elected officials who have asked federal troops to leave the city.
—Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 16, 2020
—Most Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 16, 2020
Hours before the new fighting broke out, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf visited the city and harshly criticized local officials and law enforcement, according to the Associated Press (AP).
In a long and pointed statement, Wolf called the protesters “violent anarchists,” citing multiple episodes of property destruction, violence, and graffiti, as an apparent justification for the tactics of federal officials.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, photographed in April 2020.
Cedar Attanasio / AP
He called local and state leaders for what he called a “failed response.”
“Every night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack brave law enforcement officers who protect it,” the statement said.
Wolf did not seek a meeting with Senator Brown or Mayor Wheeler, The Oregonian reported, and Wheeler told the newspaper that he would not have agreed anyway.
The fighting follows local media reports that federal officials in unidentified vehicles have been capturing protesters.
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported, based on personal accounts and social media posts, that this has taken place since at least July 14.
