[ad_1]
A riot broke out in Portland, Oregon, and protesters took to the streets in Seattle on Wednesday (local time) as people demanded that all votes be counted in American elections.
Hundreds of people were protesting in both cities against the judicial challenges of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to stop the vote count in the battle states.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office declared a riot around 7 p.m. after protesters were seen breaking windows in businesses.
Paula Bronstein / AP
Police arrest a protester in Portland, Oregon, where a riot broke out.
In the interest of public safety, Gov. Kate Brown activated the use of the state National Guard to help local law enforcement agencies handle the riots, according to the sheriff’s office.
READ MORE:
* US Elections: Joe Biden Rebuilds Democrats’ ‘Blue Wall’ As Key States Bring Him Closer To Victory
* Trump supporters converge at voting centers in Michigan, Arizona
* Biden’s camp projects confidence as Trump’s team prepares legal challenges
* See Kamala Harris share a moving moment with her great-niece as the US elections continue.
Brown previously said he would keep state troopers, sheriffs and police officers under a unified command until Friday in Portland to handle protests amid uncertainty about the winner of the US presidential election.
Marcio José Sánchez / AP
The declaration of riots came after protesters smashed windows.
The Oregon National Guard had been on standby.
Brown’s order places law enforcement agencies under the joint command of the Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department, allowing those agencies to use tear gas if necessary to quell the riots.
Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also a police commissioner, banned the use of tear gas by Portland police earlier this fall after concerns about an overly aggressive response to the riots.
Portland has been rocked by five months of near-night racial injustice protests since the police murder of George Floyd, and several hundred people marched in the city on Tuesday.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Portland has seen countless protests in recent months.
Police made no arrests and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office thanked the protesters for remaining at peace.
Portland protesters on Wednesday held signs reading, “Count Every Vote” and “Keeping Hope Alive.” Suzanne Thornton, 79, said she was motivated to attend a protest for the first time because of Trump’s court challenges.
“Our president seems to be giving the issue so much importance and we need to clarify what the vote count is for. He doesn’t seem to get it, ”Thornton said.
Paula Bronstein / AP
Supporters of Joe Biden and Donald Trump have been involved in post-election protests in the United States.
“I don’t have much patience with him because he’s a baby and I don’t see how many people in this country see him as a leader.”
Gerry Foote, a 69-year-old former high school teacher, came out to protest with a sign that read “Teacher Against Tyranny. I do not hate.”
Foote, who protested the Vietnam War as a college student, said it was critical to prevent Trump from stopping the vote count.
Ted S. Warren / AP
A police officer watches during a protest in Seattle.
Protesters in Seattle said they are also trying to ensure that the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice causes remain in the spotlight.
Some carried signs that read: “Stop Racist Suppression of Trump Voters,” “Black Lives Matter” and “Don’t Steal Elections.
The presidential race between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump remains too close to call, and votes are still being counted.
Paula Bronstein / AP
Protesters burn a flag during a march in Portland, Oregon.
“It is important to trust the process and system that has guaranteed free and fair elections in this country throughout the decades, even in times of great crisis,” Brown said in a statement.
“We’re all in this together, so let’s work together to keep our Oregon colleagues safe.”
