Portland ‘May Day’ Protests of ‘Autonomous Demonstrations’ on ICE Facility Declared Riot

Portland, Oregon has been forced to declare a riot after a group of roughly 100 people engaged in “autonomous demonstrations” near an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility. In what is being deemed “May Day” occurred as the protests evolved into a full-fledged riot. At least fourteen arrests were made, including one individual who allegedly menaced officers with a knife.

Fox News reports between 9 and 10 p.m. local time Sunday, “one group of about 30 individuals gathered near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility and another group of about 80 to 100 people gathered in Shemanski Park. Both events had been promoted as ‘autonomous demonstrations,’ according to the Portland Police Bureau.” The attacks were “similar to prior events where participants engaged in criminal behavior including arson, assault, vandalism and theft.”

The Portland Police Department chronicled the incident on Twitter with several pictures of the damage to the area. “Three separate Starbucks sustained window damage. The Hilton sustained graffiti on the wall during the riot in Downtown Portland” Tweeted @PortlandPolice.

A report said arrests were made and the group dissolved by around 11 p.m. A separate group “clashed with federal authorities stationed at the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. The clash reportedly led to officers firing pepper ball rounds” reported Fox News.

In a released statement, Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said “We appreciate those who engaged in their First Amendment rights this afternoon in a peaceful manner. Once again, under the cover of darkness, several dozen people decided to damage and destroy multiple businesses in our downtown area resulting in a riot.”

“The situation became extremely dangerous when a man brandished a knife at officers when officers were simply doing their job. The officers appear to have exercised restraint and professionalism and safely apprehended this suspect. I am proud of all of our employees who worked to minimize further damage and arrest some of the criminals involved” the statement concluded.