The protests escalated in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday when thousands of people gathered in front of a federal courthouse that has been the site of violent clashes between federal police and protesters for weeks.
The Portland Police Department declared riots in the city early Sunday morning, shortly after a group of protesters tore down part of a fence in front of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse. Police said the riots were declared in response to the “violent conduct” of the people who were creating “a serious risk of public alarm.”
Around 1 a.m., some protesters tied a chain to the fence outside the courthouse and managed to knock a section to the pavement, police said. Federal officials walked out of court and deployed multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd in response, according to The Oregonian.
PPB officers launched several aerial fireworks throughout the night. This is criminal and dangerous. https://t.co/4l2alxWTaC
– Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 26, 2020
At one point, police began issuing public address announcements ordering people to leave the area, warning that those who remained in the area were at risk of being arrested or summoned. In a statement, the department claimed that people threw bottles and fired “mortar-style fireworks” at officers as they tried to clear the demonstration. Several people were arrested, police said.
Protests have persisted in Portland for 59 consecutive days in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Tensions increased earlier this month when the Trump administration deployed federal officials to the city. Federal agents have repeatedly used tear gas against protesters outside of court.
His presence also raised alarm after reports first appeared that officers in military uniforms were detaining people in unmarked trucks. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (D) filed a lawsuit alleging that federal agencies were illegally detaining citizens without probable cause.
Local officials, including Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D), have openly spoken out in opposition to the presence of the federal police. Wheeler, who has repeatedly asked federal agencies to leave, was hit with tear gas on Wednesday night when he joined protesters outside of court.
“This is not a de-escalation strategy. This is a resounding urban war,” Wheeler said. “And the President of the United States is forging the people of this country and he has to stop.”
Saturday’s protest included a peaceful march through downtown Portland before protesters stood outside the courthouse. Approximately 1,000 protesters arrived at the courthouse around 10 p.m. Some protesters fired fireworks over the fence, prompting federal agents to launch tear gas canisters at the crowd, according to The Associated Press.
Protesters also gathered outside the offices of the Portland Police Association and the North Precinct of the police department.
The mounting tensions came as protesters in several other cities gathered on the streets in a show of solidarity with the protests in Portland. Seattle police also declared riots Saturday after buildings were destroyed and multiple fires were started.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell released a video statement after another night of riots, imploring those in Portland and other regions to support the city by avoiding violence.
“Across the country, people are committing violence, supposedly in support of Portland,” Lovell said. “If you want to support Portland, stop the violence, work for peace. Portland police officers and law enforcement facilities have been threatened. Now more than ever the Portland police need your support. “
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