On Wednesday, I wrote the article “Portland Bulks Up With Police, National Guard, & FBI Ahead Of Explosive Protests By Antifa & Militia Groups.”
And here we are: Saturday’s clash hasn’t disappointed.
As present time, at least 13 people have been taken into custody.
Details of the arrests haven’t been released, but the Portland Police Bureau did post photos of seized weapons from the ruckus, including wooden poles and bear spray.
#ppbalert Officers have seized weapons from multiple groups, including bear spray, shields, and metal and wooden poles. pic.twitter.com/NY2KEK8c8Y
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 17, 2019
In terms of sheer numbers, the day seems to’ve been mercilessly light on physical harm. According to Fox News, three people have been evaluated by medics. And only one’s been taken to the hospital so far.
At approximately 1:40 pm, law enforcement officers came upon an injured individual at SW Harvey Milk and SW Naito. They, along with @PDXFire medics, rendered assistance. The individual was transported to an area hospital. No further information at this time. #ppbalert
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 17, 2019
On the other hand, though, there’s this (WARNING: LANGUAGE):
https://twitter.com/thc4autism/status/1162847157130428416
Fox reports on the madness:
Shortly before 3:30 p.m. local time, police spokesperson Lt. Tina Jones said that more than 1,000 people had gathered in and around the downtown area as part of the demonstrations. She added that police were “focused on keeping opposing groups separate, although there have been some interactions between individuals.
Flag-waving members of the Proud Boys and Three Percenters militia group began gathering late in the morning, some wearing body armor and helmets. Meanwhile, black-clad, helmet and mask-wearing Antifa members were also among the several hundred people on the streets. The groups gathered on both sides of the Willamette River, which runs through the city.
Authorities used sound trucks and loudspeakers to remind demonstrators both sides to stay out of the streets or they would be arrested. They also set up concrete barriers and closed streets and bridges in an effort to contain and separate the rival groups.
As I indicated previously, not a single Portland officer was given the day off. In fact, on hand were more than two dozen law enforcement agencies.
Portland prepped with a thousand local officers.
Why would anyone want to be within 5 miles of such a planned experiment in insanity?
As reported by KPTV, some demonstrators had begun to exit in the early afternoon. That included The Proud Boys. Hopefully, the potentially explosive ideological entanglement is all but over now.
At the outset, the city’s mayor, Ted Wheeler, had a message for people on both sides: “We don’t want your hatred, we don’t want your violence…”
Good luck with that.
Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an “ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.” Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2019
An old man gets assaulted by Antifa and has his American flag ripped from his hands and thrown to the ground. #PortlandProtests pic.twitter.com/vgugrVVMF4
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 17, 2019
At yesterday's Ted Wheeler PR event ahead of the 17 Aug protest, a speaker defended & rationalized the violent actions of antifa, & urged the city not to send police out in full force. The event was organized to show that Portland denounces violence. https://t.co/QiVD6AP0Kb pic.twitter.com/YBgLsRYuhD
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2019
This man was just taken down and arrested. According to @TPostMillennial, he may have had a gun. #PortlandProtest
pic.twitter.com/hZUgrpmxKY— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 17, 2019
Portland police are retreating from Antifa:#PortlandProtest pic.twitter.com/AeAsyH5j9u
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 17, 2019
-ALEX
See 3 more pieces from me:
An Elderly Man Walks Into The Hospital For A Bladder Procedure, Walks Out Circumcised – Accidenta
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