...the armed wing of the Democratic Party...'s announced direct action Sunday that local law enforcement won't intervene to protect residents from the riotous activity expected to take place.
The city braced for violence after Antifa accounts in Portland warned press to not film or photograph rioters at the planned Antifascist
...anybody you disagree with, damn them...
Action at the Salmon Street Springs water fountain in Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Sunday afternoon.
All the members of the police department's Rapid Response Team had resigned during the course of the year 2021, after one of the team's officers was indicted for an incident that occurred while the group was being attacked by rioters. Instead, authorities plan to "provide safety information and direction to participants and bystanders via loudspeaker," according to Lovell.
"You should not expect to see coppers standing in the middle of the crowd trying to keep people apart. People should keep themselves apart and avoid physical confrontation," Lovell stated via PPB blurb.
According to local outlet Fox 12 KPTV, the city of Portland is readying itself for what will likely be another pitched street battle between Antifa and its right-wing counterparts on the anniversary of a previous
"Within the resource constraints we have, we are preparing and working with partners to include Oregon State Police and local partners from the metro area to put together the appropriate resource package for this weekend," Lovell continued. Responding to criticism for the decision, Lovell iterated: "I understand the optics of that. But we have to make tactical decisions that put us in a place where we’re likely to be successful in making an arrest or taking someone into custody."
"To the extent that we can, we will make arrests whether it's after something takes place or if it's possible to make one at a different time, we'll do that."
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
You don’t have to like the messaging of street preachers but their speech is protected under law. However in Portland, freedom of expression & worship is practically dead as antifa storm troopers will assault & threaten you for exercising your rights. Law enforcement MIA. https://t.co/zkZQgQzuvx
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
Hundreds of antifa members & their supporters are at the Portland waterfront. Some are dressed in paramilitary gear & are brandishing their rifles. The antifa occupiers claim ownership over Portland. Video by @jennytyoung: pic.twitter.com/OhanNOsCvp
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
#Antifa from Seattle & other cities have travelled to Portland to riot today. They say they’re ready to kill & be killed, a promise they’ve made good on at CHAZ & in downtown Portland. Antifa are also doing reconnaissance in downtown currently. pic.twitter.com/W2nLVSi01X
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
| Courtesy of Skidmark: |
[FoxNews] Members of Antifa clashed with right-wing protesters in Portland Sunday evening, according to reports.
"People are lighting fireworks and dispersing chemical spray," Portland authorities tweeted. "Those crossing line into criminal activity are subject to arrest. Some traffic lanes are being periodically affected."
In a separate tweet, officials warned drivers to avoid the area and told those engaged to leave the area and be peaceful.
Independent journalist Andy Ngo identified one of the two groups as Antifa and shared video footage of explosives being thrown and a van being crashed.
Fox 12 Oregon reported that there were approximately 50 Antifa members and 100 right-wing protesters in the area.
In addition to setting off fireworks, Antifa members were seen throwing smoke bombs and firing paintballs. A man was arrested after a shooting in downtown, but it was not clear if the incident was tied to the earlier clashes, police told Fox News. There was no information on any injuries.
Prior to the shooting, the suspect reportedly told an Oregonian/OregonLive reporter that the left-wing activists were "the real fascists."
The "Summer of Love: Patriots Spreading Love not Hate" event was scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at Waterfront Park but was later moved to the parking lot of an abandoned K-Mart.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who held a virtual "Choose Love" event with Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell and other city leaders ahead of the planned events, denounced hate and violence.
"Anyone who comes into our community and is spreading their hate, their racism, their xenophobia, their white supremacist predilections, all of that is very intimidating to people who are here, particularly people of color," Wheeler said.
The rioting came on the one-year anniversary of clashes between right-wing and Antifa members outside of the Multnomah County Justice Center.
Related:
Portland: 2021-08-22 Portland City and County Leaders Ask Biden Administration To Admit Afghanis, Send Them Here
Portland: 2021-08-21 Feebs finds scant evidence U.S. Capitol attack was coordinated
Portland: 2021-08-15 Antifa group Youth Liberation Front — whose Portland cell organizes mass violence across US cities — has announced its new London, UK chapter
Portland: 2021-08-22 Portland City and County Leaders Ask Biden Administration To Admit Afghanis, Send Them Here
Portland: 2021-08-21 Feebs finds scant evidence U.S. Capitol attack was coordinated
Portland: 2021-08-15 Antifa group Youth Liberation Front — whose Portland cell organizes mass violence across US cities — has announced its new London, UK chapter