Above Photo: KOIN
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two opposing protest groups — Patriot Prayer and antifa — clashed in what turned into a riot in downtown Portland Saturday.
Portland police called the gathering a riot after officers observed assaults and other criminal behavior during a Patriot Prayer march downtown on Saturday. They said failure to leave the area could result in arrests.
Patriot Prayer had a permit for a Freedom and Courage rally and march, but police revoked that permit when the groups began to clash shortly after the march started around 6 p.m.
People were lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs and throwing eggs and water bottles into the crowd. Police used aerial distraction devices, pepper spray and pepper balls in an effort to disperse the clashing protesters.
Portland Police have used aerial distraction devices in today’s protest. Portland Police have not used tear gas as some are reporting.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 1, 2018
Patriot Prayer regrouped at Terry Schrunk Plaza but the Federal Protective Service later closed the park and ordered everyone to leave. A smaller group of protesters gathered again on SW 3rd between SW Clay and Columbia, where another brief scuffle ensued before the remaining protesters loaded onto a bus and left the area.
“Today was good in terms that we showed that there’s a political move right now to have the police stand down in order to impact free speech in some of these big cities. Portland’s the last city on the West Coast that’s doing that, so we just have to keep hitting it — I don’t see what else to do other than that. We’ll make Portland so ugly in terms of how they allow these protesters to charge us when we have a permit. The police stood down, we were told they would not stand down, so we have to challenge it,” organizer Joey Gibson said before leaving.
Four people were arrested during the events Saturday:
–Luiz E. Marquez, 46, arrested in connection with a June 3 protest on charges of first-degree theft, 3rd-degree theft and 3rd-degree assault
–Tusitala “Tiny” Toese, 22, arrested in connection with an investigation that started on June 8 on charges of 4th-degree assault
–Donovan Flippo, 23, arrested in connection with investigation that started on June 8 on charges of 2nd-degree disorderly conduct
–Matthew Braddock, 37, arrested in connection with investigation that started on May 31 on charges of 2nd-degree robbery and 3rd-degree assault
KOIN 6 News also saw a man named John, who identifies with the left, being taken away and handcuffed. He said he was cited for failing to obey and released a short time later.
“It was definitely targeting based off of political ideology, I don’t hide that I fall on the left side of the political spectrum, but I’m also respectful of those on the right,” John said.
A family who went to counter protest Patriot Prayer said they were there because of President Trump’s stance on immigration.
“Their kids shouldn’t be separated from their parents like that,” Eudardo Martinez said. “It’s not right.”
An officer was injured by a projectile and taken to the hospital but the injuries are believed to be non-serious.
“Portland Police planned for today’s protest so that people could exercise their First Amendment rights to speech and assembly,” said Deputy Chief Bob Day in a press release. “We seized numerous weapons early on, and interceded and separated people when necessary. However, once projectiles, such as fireworks, eggs, rocks, bottles and construction equipment were thrown and people were injured, we ordered people to disperse.”
Photos: Riot in downtown Portland on June 30, 2018
Before the riot
Hundreds of people with the Patriot Prayer group gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza while hundreds of opposing protesters, including antifa, gathered at Chapman Square for rallies before the march.
“A lot of people are saying you know, transgenders and queers are being oppressed in America, no. They have their festival, three days are dedicated for them, their Pride festival, but when you say you’re a conservative, people look at you like you’re a freaking terrorist,” Toese told KOIN 6 News before he was taken into custody.
Participants were met with strict security as they entered the plaza.
Patriot Prayer organizer Joey Gibson said they brought busloads of people from Vancouver to Portland for the event.
Patriot Prayer supporters are being brought in on buses from Vancouver, WA #protests #patriotprayer #pdx #rally #portland #vancouver pic.twitter.com/G5kNQn42bf
— Jennifer Dowling (@JenDowlingKoin6) June 30, 2018
Gibson said people were in high spirits and excited to have a “great day in Portland.”
The #patriotprayer group has a lot of signs & symbols supporting Trump at today’s rally in #pdx #protests pic.twitter.com/4b623aIvFR
— Jennifer Dowling (@JenDowlingKoin6) June 30, 2018
A group called Eugene Antifa created a Facebook event called “Defend PDX: Patriot Prayer’s violence must end”
“It is very important that antifascists keep up the pressure so that we can stop them once and for all,” the Facebook page says.
“There will be a significant law enforcement presence in Downtown Portland, due to past threats and acts of violence between these different groups, both locally and nationally,” Portland police said.
Police were already dressed in riot gear before the 4 p.m. start time in preparation for the protests.
They said because of those threats, people should not bring weapons to any event. PPB said officers made probably cause arrests and seized weapons.
Officers have made probable cause arrests in today’s demonstration around Terry Schrunk Plaza and Chapman Square. Ofcs are also seizing weapons. pic.twitter.com/6h3DDlQWgL
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 30, 2018
A similar clash of protests happened in Portland on June 3, the anniversary of a 2017 face off between those groups. During that demonstration, fights broke out and several people were arrested.
WATCH LIVE: Patriot Prayer/Antifa rally in downtown Portland