People gathered Saturday afternoon in Portland for demonstrations, as the city approaches its fifth month of almost nightly protests against racial injustice and police brutality. (Sept. 26) AP Domestic
Police in Portland broke up a planned, unpermitted march before it began Monday and eventually declared an unlawful assembly when protesters reorganized and continue the march anyway.
At least 24 people were arrested, a Portland police officer was sent to the hospital and at least five officers were sprayed by a chemical irritant during the unlawful assembly in the Kenton neighborhood, according to police. People were instructed to meet at Kenton Park at 8 p.m. for a march scheduled at 9 p.m., according to social media. Police learned of the march and by 8:45 p.m. officers “moved into the park” to seize shields from participants.
“The posture of the gathering suggested that it would become violent, as many such gatherings have been over the past 120-plus days,” police said. “To lower the likelihood that members of the gathering would use the shields to protect those intent on committing crimes such as throwing objects at police, officers moved into the park and seized numerous shields.”
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At one point, a scuffle broke out when officers tried to confiscate a sign from a demonstrator, according to video from the scene.
Police told the group they could demonstrate at the park but not march in the street as the crowd headed towards the Portland Police Association, which has been the site of many demonstrations since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. Police told marchers the sidewalk in front of the building was closed and officers made more arrests because people in the street were blocking traffic according to police.
Police declared an unlawful assembly after members of the crowd threw objects at them and officers were punched and sprayed with “some kind of chemical.” Officers continued to make arrests until the crowd dissipated about 1:30 a.m.
The protest comes one day after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown asked authorities to review “any alleged incidents” involving officers during the law enforcement response to a protest in Portland late Saturday into early Sunday.
The governor said in a series of tweets Sunday evening that she was committed to building trust in the community. She asked Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton, Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese and Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell to take another look at what happened during their joint operations that night.
“Journalists and law enforcement officers have difficult jobs to do during these demonstrations, but I do still believe that we can protect free speech and keep the peace,” Brown tweeted.
The trio of law enforcement agencies on Monday released a joint statement saying agencies were reviewing several use of force incidents from Saturday night’s protests to see if “any deputies, officers or troopers may have acted outside the scope of their police or training.” The agencies urged people to file a complaint with the relevant agency if they felt any officer, deputy or trooper acted unjustly or used excessive force.
The unrest late Saturday came just hours after a right-wing rally and counterprotesters largely dispersed without serious violence Saturday afternoon.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow N’dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg
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