USA TODAY International Edition
Portland police arrest 24 before march; one officer hospitalized
Police in Portland, Oregon, broke up a planned, unpermitted march before it began Monday and declared an unlawful assembly when protesters reorganized and marched anyway.
At least 24 people were arrested, a police officer was sent to a hospital and at least five officers were sprayed by a chemical irritant 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.”
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 toward the Portland Police Association, the site of many demonstrations since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in May. Police told marchers the sidewalk in front of the building was closed, and officers made more arrests because people were blocking traffic, police said.
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 around 1: 30 a. m.
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 released a joint statement Monday saying agencies were reviewing several use- of- force incidents from Saturday night’s protests to see whether “any deputies, officers or troopers may have acted outside the scope of their policy or training.” The agencies urged people to file a complaint if they felt any officer, deputy or trooper acted unjustly or used excessive force.
The unrest came hours after a rightwing rally and counterprotesters largely dispersed without serious violence Saturday afternoon.