Police in Portland, Ore., Said a protest outside a law enforcement building on Saturday night turned into a riot and made several arrests after officers and police cars were reportedly hit with rocks and other objects.
A statement on the website of the police bureau indicated that further details regarding the number of arrests and prosecutors would come in a later update, but noted that several people were arrested.
“Portland police announced to the public that holding an uprising existed and instructing people to go west. People in the crowd continued to stop to throw stones and other objects,” officials said. Photos posted by police on Twitter showed a large rock claiming officers were thrown by protesters and glass bottles, as well as minor damage to a police cruiser.
Streets for protest blocks, officials attacking, with stones painted, glass bottles, other objects (photo) https://t.co/Kilu4qbnwV pic.twitter.com/Nx5Km0JLGu
– Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 15, 2020
People attack police with projectiles causing injuries – arrests (Photo) https://t.co/TPXdjshBKp pic.twitter.com/RHPCQYrXEf
– Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 16, 2020
Police added that two Portland officers were treated for injuries sustained when they were hit by thrown objects, including one that was allegedly thrown by an individual into a crowd of people wearing Persian badges or wear other clothing that identifies itself as members of the media.
“Officers report throwing rocks, frozen eggs, glass bottles and frozen water bottles at them. Officers report people throwing green lasers at them, which is against the law in Oregon. read the police statement.
Protests in Portland have been going on for months over the deaths of Black Americans during meetings with police, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Many of the demonstrations remained quiet, although the city became the focus of national attention, after videos appeared of protesters being held by federal lawmakers in unmarked vans, resulting in protests swelling in size and intensity.
The city’s mayor, Ted Wheeler (D), has yet to comment on Saturday night’s arrests on social media as in a press release, and a request for a statement from his office was not immediately returned.
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