Holly MatkinPortland, OR – Rioters attacked Portland police with golf balls, ball bearings, potatoes, and other projectiles on Monday night, injuring at least five officers.
The latest night of mayhem began at approximately 9:45 p.m., when a group of activists started blocking traffic as they marched down Northeast Killingsworth Street from Alberta Park to the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) North Precinct on Emerson Street, the PPB said in a press release.
Rioters armed with shields led the way, according to police.
“This is a working Community Policing Center. There have been previous attempts to storm this building and burn it down with people still inside,” the PPB noted.
As the mob approached, PPB officers and Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers stood guard outside the precinct to protect the building.
They repeatedly warned the group “not to participate in criminal behavior” such as “vandalism, unlawful entry to the building, or fire starting,” and reminded them that they could be subject to arrest or “crowd control agents” if they failed to remain lawful, according to the press release.
The mob responded by shining “bright strobe lights” in the officers’ eyes and pelting them with water bottles and eggs, police said.
So there's the fire…. pic.twitter.com/cMJbQMyMKH
— Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 11, 2020
Eggs getting thrown at troopers. pic.twitter.com/5qrrn58z1e
— Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 11, 2020
The PPB declared an unlawful assembly at 11:06 p.m. due to the criminal activity.
Officers used a loudspeaker to order the group to disperse and warned them again about the potential consequences of failing to comply.
And the graffiti on the PPA building…
No more warnings from police at this point. pic.twitter.com/zxCroYdojn
— Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 10, 2020
“Those that were not interested in a confrontation were given an opportunity to leave,” the PPB said. “Officers then began to physically move the crowd.”
Several rioters were arrested after they “interfered” with the officers who were moving them.
Police bull rush the rioters again. Many of the people who put their hands up now are also the same people who threw projectiles a bit ago. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/RoSiSk7yOF
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 11, 2020
“While one suspect was being processed, he kicked an Oregon State Police trooper and two Portland Police detectives,” the PPB said.
Another officer was hit in the face by a ball bearing.
Overnight on 10–11 Aug, #antifa rioters attacked the Portland Police north precinct again (they previously set it on fire). One officer was hit in the face w/a metal ball bearing. Rioters threw rocks, eggs & water bottles. Only 9 were arrested. https://t.co/pThhzXL9RO pic.twitter.com/4XOcKImc9H
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 11, 2020
“The officer’s face shield protected him from what would have likely been a very serious injury,” the PPB said.
A fifth officer was transported to the hospital after she suffered a hyperextended elbow during a “scuffle” with a suspect, according to police.
She was treated and released.
Officers were also struck by potatoes, rocks, and golf balls throughout the night.
Officers clearing the street pushed people and pepper sprayed at least one person. Looks like one of the people in the hand-holding group I tweeted about may have been arrested. pic.twitter.com/0fGBl5ywyE
— Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 11, 2020
Hester yelling "Your family is ashamed" at troopers. Also… look to the left side of the frame 👀 pic.twitter.com/lCZ8hxPouB
— Hannah Ray Lambert (@TheHannahRay) August 11, 2020
More rioters were arrested as police pushed the crowd further away from the North precinct.
Most of the crowd dissipated by approximately 2 a.m.
Nine people were arrested during the overnight rioting for offenses ranging from assault on a public safety officer to reckless driving, according to the PPB.
Sandy Malone
