Chaos erupted in Portland, Oregon, early Friday morning as demonstrators took to the streets in a demonstration that turned violent, hallmarked by looting, vandalism, and arson.
Tensions were high in Portland as demonstrators gathered for a protest marking the one-month anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Activists reportedly attempted to construct their own “autonomous” zone, as authorities declared an unlawful assembly. The protest descended into the streets, dominated by arson, looting, and mass vandalism. The Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct faced the brunt of the wrath, with Portland Police confirming that protesters set the North Precinct, and surrounding structures, ablaze. Rioters also looted a least one business and vandalized others.
Protesters dispersed early Friday morning, according to Portland Police, which added that “arrests have been made” and confirmed “non-life-threatening” injuries in relation to the riots:
PPB City-Wide Response Continues After Protestors Lit Fires At North Precinct And Surrounding Structures. At Least One Business Has Been Looted. Avoid The Area From MLK, Ainsworth
Arrests Have Been Made. Officers Are Now Securing Businesses That Were Vandalized And Looted In The King neighborhood
It Appears Protestors Have Dispersed. Officers Are Still Assessing Damage. There Are Non Life Threatening Injuries Relating To This Incident. News
KOIN reported:
According to police, the north side of the North Precinct was set ablaze around 2:15 a.m. In response, officers used CS gas to disperse the crowd — a few canisters of which were thrown back at police by some protesters. Earlier in the night, demonstrators reportedly attempted to create an autonomous zone outside the precinct before an unlawful assembly was declared.
Police say several businesses were looted overnight after windows were smashed and more fires were set. Although it is not confirmed which business was looted, Top to Bottom on NE MLK Boulevard had restoration crews out early Friday morning installing new windows and clearing debris. A nearby bank is believed to have been vandalized as well.
A mess on NE MLK in Portland this morning, after police had a city-wide response to protesters at their north precinct. Seeing debris in the road, a looted business, a small fire and police still covering a few blocks #LiveOnK2
Further down MLK at NE Jarrett, we found the looted business. Crews are cleaning up the shattered glass and starting to board up windows. Police say it was the work of protesters in NE Portland overnight #LiveOnK2
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