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Police have arrested 13 people on a range of charges, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and unlawful use of a weapon, after right-wing demonstrators squared off with Antifa counter-protesters in Portland, Oregon.
? BREAKING ? Antifa has major CLASH with Proud Boys on Portland bridge in traffic
A serious assault took place on PB’s after they busted the door of the bus, they also threw a metal hammer at them.
I also got pepper sprayed in the face with many others. Sorry for language pic.twitter.com/UwRsY4qq6G
— Elijah Schaffer S.O. (@ElijahSchaffer) August 17, 2019
Speaking at a press conference in the wake of the protests in Portland, which were marred by sporadic incidents of violence, city mayor Ted Wheeler hailed police for doing “an exemplary job of de-escalating the situation.”
He described the demonstration as a “largely peaceful event” despite the emergence of multiple videos documenting attacks mostly by Antifa on right-wing demonstrators.
"A largely peaceful event……"https://t.co/qXx5sdbm4J
— ShifuSnake (@Shifu_Snake) August 18, 2019
In one particularly violent episode, a gang of masked protesters viciously attacked two buses carrying right-wing activists, pelting the vehicles with rocks, throwing a hammer, and attempting to force their way onto one of the buses by smashing its doors.
Conflicting reports and additional video suggest that the hammer may have been taken from a right-wing demonstrator during the skirmish.
Here's another angle that shows clearly who had the hammer first: pic.twitter.com/jeQt418jlb
— Below Average Student (@BelowStudent) August 18, 2019
Footage shows the door of the bus opening, with a right-wing protester swinging a hammer at Antifa members who had swarmed around the entrance of the vehicle.
While the mayor’s remark may have raised some eyebrows, Portland police chief Danielle Outlaw reported that 13 people were arrested in connection with the turmoil, on charges including disorderly conduct, interfering with police, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon.
In run-up to the showdown, police seized a number of items from the demonstrators that, if used, might have caused serious trauma. These included knives, metal, and wooden poles, a stun gun, as well as bear spray.
Anitfa throws rocks and hammers and smashes windows of bus that contained Proud Boys in it. Reporting live #PortlandProtest #antifa #proudboys pic.twitter.com/5ZT27gqHCD
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) August 17, 2019
A total of six people suffered injuries in the scuffles, and one had to be transported to the hospital. The seventh person was treated for unrelated medical issues, Outlaw said.
Speaking at the press conference, Wheeler took aim specifically at the right-wing violence, accusing pro-Trump activist Joey Gibson, the founder of the right-wing Patriot Prayer group, of “misusing public taxpayer resources” by turning up at the rallies and inciting unrest with his presence.
While expressing concern over the supposed dangers presented by surging right-wing sentiment, Wheeler failed to mention the reported instances of left-wing violence at the Portland rally, choosing to focus exclusively on the perils of white nationalism.
? BREKAING ? ANTIFA chases conservative protestors through Portland streets
They sprayed pepper spray, assaulted multiple victims including a young girl, tasered a teenager
Riot police on the scene, protestors on the ground cheered cops to jump off and kill themselves pic.twitter.com/baXhglUIRJ
— Elijah Schaffer S.O. (@ElijahSchaffer) August 17, 2019
Ahead of the rally, US President Donald Trump called on Wheeler to “properly do his job,” adding that his handling of the events would be “watched very closely.”
Trump also joined the Republican-led push to formally designate Antifa an “organization of terror.” However, this is impossible under the applicable US law at present, as this permits only foreign organizations to be designated as such.
Middle-age man was maced and beaten by an antifa mob. He was knocked unconscious to the ground. His partner or spouse was trying to protect him as mob still surrounded them. No police. #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/eAhrMSEKU1
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) August 17, 2019
