PORTLAND, OR- Protestors gathered in Portland on Sunday night to protest Columbus Day, a US holiday that fell on Monday. The protestors quickly turned violent and destructive causing Portland Police to declare the gathering a riot.
Several riots occurred across the country on what protestors dubbed the “Indigenous Peoples’ Day of Rage.” The rioters were enraged by the celebration of Christopher Columbus who, according to them, contributed to Native American genocide.
In Portland near 300 protestors gathered downtown at 8:00PM then attempted to destroy and tear down statues. The rioters used chains to tear down statutes of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Red paint was thrown on the Roosevelt monument and a blowtorch was used in an attempt to destroy the statue’s base.
A riot was declared overnight in SW Portland, where statues of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were torn down overnight by protesters on the eve of Columbus Day. Photos by @MontyOrrick #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/7FFcObGqFt
— Dan McCarthy (@DanMcKATU) October 12, 2020
Portland Police reported on the protest as it was developing in a Twitter thread:
“A mass gathering has formed at Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Madison Street, where some are trying to pull down a statue with a chain. To those taking part: anyone involved in criminal behavior, including vandalism, is subject to arrest or citation.”
The thread continued:
“Failure to adhere to this direction may subject you to citation, arrest, and crowd control agents including but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons.”
Failure to adhere to this direction may subject you to citation, arrest, and crowd control agents including but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) October 12, 2020
Rioters were not discouraged by the threat of arrest and just before 10:00PM began resorting to violence and vandalism. Local police received reports that rioters had broken several windows in different buildings. Portland Police then declared the demonstration a riot saying:
“We have gotten reports of windows being broken in numerous buildings. The gathering has been declared a riot.“
We have gotten reports of windows being broken in numerous buildings. The gathering has been declared a riot.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) October 12, 2020
The Portland Police quickly followed up this tweet by saying any participants that continue rioting will risk arrest:
“To those marching downtown: this has been declared a RIOT. All persons must immediately disperse to the NORTH. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to arrest, citation, or crowd control agents, including, but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons.”
To those marching downtown: this has been declared a RIOT. All persons must immediately disperse to the NORTH. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to arrest, citation, or crowd control agents, including, but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) October 12, 2020
The rioters still carried on throughout the night. According to police there is extensive damage to multiple buildings. Three lit flares were thrown into the Oregon Historical Society after rioters smashed the building’s windows in. As if that wasn’t enough the rioters wrote “F*ck history” on the destroyed building.
Rioters wrote deplorable messages across the city. The phrases “All Cops Are Bastards” and “End America” can be seen written throughout downtown in spray paint.
Portland State University Campus Public Safety office also suffered property damage after windows were broken.
In a statement by the Portland Police Bureau on Monday the bureau claimed that rioters planned to “engage in criminal behavior” long before attending the protest:
“A published advertisement for the event (photo) indicated it was a direct action where cameras, journalists, and live streamers were specifically excluded. This indicated that those attending were planning to engage in criminal behavior and were attempting to prevent the collection of video evidence that could be used to hold them accountable.”
The bureau continued:
“Many in the group were wearing all black, masks, body armor, helmets, and were carrying shields. At its peak the crowd numbered close to 300 people.”
The statement concluded by outlining the charges filed so far in relation to Sunday night’s riots:
- “Malik Muhamad, 23, of Portland – criminal mischief in the first degree (6 counts), riot, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public
- Justin Bowen, 25, of Portland — assault in the fourth Degree (2 counts), unlawful use of pepper spray
- Brandon Bartells, 38, of Washington — criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless endangering”
Portland Police say that there is still potential for more charges to be filed.
President Trump commented on the Portland riots claiming that the city government needs to call in federal assistance:
“Taking advantage of fools. Law & Order! Portland, call in the Feds!”
Taking advantage of fools. Law & Order! Portland, call in the Feds! https://t.co/rJl9IVxdMM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020
The President also demanded that rioters be held accountable for their destruction and put in jail:
“Put these animals in jail, now. The Radical Left only knows how to take advantage of very dumb “leadership” fools. This is Biden! Law & Order!”
Put these animals in jail, now. The Radical Left only knows how to take advantage of very dumb “leadership” fools. This is Biden! Law & Order! https://t.co/w0yH3SqnrB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020
PORTLAND, OR – Protesters in Portland gathered around the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city.
After federal police declared it an unlawful assembly and the protesters still continued to disperse, chemical agents and less lethal munitions were used to clear the area around the building.
Since the in-custody death of George Floyd on Memorial Day of this year, members of Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and other opportunists have taken to nightly protests and riots in the city. For weeks, they have bombarded federal buildings and have moved into residential areas to wreak havoc. Now, they are once again focusing on the ICE building located in south Portland.
On October 6th, protesters gathered at the Elizabeth Caruthers Park and proceeded to march to the ICE building. According to reports, at approximately 10 p.m. Federal officers had declared the demonstration as an unlawful assembly.
The unruly crowd was told that they needed to leave the area. Initially, the protesters began to somewhat disperse; but then returned and gathered once again at the ICE building.
Someone in the crowd threw a smoke bomb which landed on the roof of the facility. Other protestersbegan throwing rocks at the officers outside, who were protecting the building, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Although the crowd had became increasingly violent toward law enforcement, the Portland Police did not immediately move them. According to Oregonlive.com, after roughly an hour later, police decided it was time to move the crowd, then moved in to disperse them.
Portland Police said:
“They [protesters] continued to block the street. Due to the seriousness of the crowd’s criminal behavior, the incident commander determined that the event was an unlawful assembly.”
Federal officers exited the building just before 11 p.m. and again gave the crowd a dispersal order. This time, giving the crowd 2 minutes to comply. When the two minute warning was up, the officers deployed chemical agents as well as less lethal munitions (rubber bullets, pepper balls and flash bangs) into the crowd.
Portland officers also moved in and reported that the disorderly rioters were still throwing rocks and other objects at them. The crowd eventually dispersed and Portland officers were able to take 4 people into custody. Federal law enforcement took two people into custody.
The two people who were arrested for the rioting by federal authorities were identified as Essence May Sylvester and Alexis Richter. The two appeared in federal court on October 7th. Both were alleged to have committed disorderly conduct on federal property and failure to obey a lawful order.
Sources stated that Richter and Sylvester had lain across the entryway to the ICE facility. Both were told numerous times to move and refused to do so. Additionally, they refused to identify themselves to authorities.
Both Richter and Sylvester were released from custody pending a future court date. They have been barred from being within three blocks of the ICE building between the hours of 9pm to 6am until their cases have been disposed in court.
Portland Police announced they had arrested four people in total during the mob violence.
KGW8 released the names of the 4 arrested and 1 who was cited:
“Zachary Forster, charged with interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct;
Sean Lopez, charged with disorderly conduct II;
Camillo Massagli, charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer;
Skyler Rider, charged with disorderly conduct, interfering with an officer, and assaulting a public safety officer.
Evan Henshaw-Plath, cited for an unlawful sound amplification.”
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt had stated previously that his office will not file any criminal charges against the protesters, unless there were allegations of intentional property damage, theft, or force against a person. Whether or not his office determines an officer being threatened or hit by objects meets his criteria, remains to be seen.
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