Rioters Damage Portland For A Second Night

Photo: KATU

Saturday brought another night of rioting in the streets of Portland.

A demonstration started at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Portland and police say it quickly became confrontational against the police who were working to protect the Justice Center that had been burned Friday night.

Around 6:45 p.m., police officers outside of the Justice Center were approached by a large group of several hundred demonstrators. The demonstrators threw projectiles at the officers and assaulted a police officer.

An unlawful assembly was declared and demonstrators were told to leave the area or force would be used against them. Demonstrators continued to throw projectiles at police officers and Riot Control Agents were deployed. The demonstrators dispersed from the area where officers were securing the Justice Center, but continued to gather and regroup throughout the evening in both the Downtown and Lloyd Districts.

At 8:00 p.m., it was announced the Mayor's curfew order was in place and people needed to leave the city of Portland. If they didn't, they would be subject to arrest.

At about 9:00 p.m., there was a shooting near Southwest Hawthorne Boulevard and Water Avenue where a male was shot in the chest, which was determined not to be related to the demonstration, but was nearby. The person was hospitalized in critical condition. An arrest has not been made.

At about 11:35 p.m. aerial mortars and fireworks were thrown at the Multnomah County Courthouse. Officers were able to disperse the crowd in this area by using Riot Control Agents.

For approximately five hours, demonstrators vandalized businesses in the Downtown and Lloyd Districts. Fires were set, windows were smashed out, business were looted, and barricades were moved from construction sites to block streets and traffic.

48 people were arrested.

Nine juveniles were detained during the events and were released to parents related to offenses of Curfew, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Riot, Burglary, and theft.

"PPB and partner agencies demonstrated professionalism and courage while managing a civil disturbance in the Downtown and Lloyd Districts" said Chief Jami Resch. "The actions taken to disperse the crowd and make arrests of those engaged in criminal activity had a major impact on mitigating serious injuries and preventing wide-spread looting. I am extremely proud of all of our public safety agencies who worked in collaboration to keep Portland safe during this civil disturbance."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler says businesses are still assessing damage. He says dozens of businesses were damaged and the estimates for repairs will be in the millions of dollars.


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