Portland protests descend into violence as opposing groups clash with paintballs, weapons, chemical

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Washington Post

By Andrew Jeong

Hundreds of far-left and far-right demonstrators clashed in Portland, Ore., on Sunday afternoon, firing paintballs, spraying chemicals and destroying property.

Police haven’t reported any deaths or injuries. But footage from the two areas where the demonstrations had occurred showed gunshots being fired, people being shoved to the ground, and some protesters breaking the windows of parked vehicles. Images showed at least one person surrendering to law enforcement officials where the shots had been fired. Dennis G. Anderson, 65, was charged with unlawful use and possession of a firearm shortly after the shooting, police said.

The clashes came on the anniversary of similar competing protests a year ago, after the murder of George Floyd. In that incident, a far-right protester was shot and killed after demonstrators and counter-protesters clashed. An anti-fascist activist suspected of the shooting was later killed in a confrontation with police.

Sunday’s violence occurred in two parts of the city, according to the Portland Police Bureau and local news reports.

Video: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/protests-in-portland-turn-violent-as-left-and-right-wing-activists-clash/2021/08/23/9676b796-a756-4648-95a9-e3a2462ad28d_video.html

Street beatings and melees broke out in Portland during confrontations involving left- and right-wing protesters on Aug. 22. (Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful)



A far-right activist stands in front of a flipped-over van after an altercation with anti-fascist activists following a far-right rally in Portland. (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/AFP/Getty Images)

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/23/portland-protests-descend-into-violence-opposing-groups-clash-with-paintballs-weapons-chemical-spray/

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FULL title: Portland protests descend into violence as opposing groups clash with paintballs, weapons, chemical spray

[bucolic_frolic]

1. It's a protest against the protestors

Which side was there first? Seems to me the right doesn't have any issues other than thuggery on the libs.

[hlthe2b]

2. I cannot believe how Portland has decided to (NOT) address this...

Turning a blind eye? Really? It was this approach to the 01/06 insurrection with arrests NOT made onsite that seemed very much to invigorate more of the same.

While the FBI has been able (with the tremendous assistance of video-reviewing online sleuths) to identify and later charge a lot of those responsible during 01/06, how does Portland PD believe THEY will be able to do the same? Do Portlanders approve of this abandonment of police responsibilities?

[Crowman2009]

3. The main problem is that a large percentage of law enforcement sympathize or are friends with..

Last edited Mon Aug 23, 2021, 09:16 AM - Edit history (1)

...these right-wing terrorists.

[Ford_Prefect]

4. This!!!!!!

[hlthe2b]

6. Then call up the National Guard while they investigate their force and clean house

ask for State Police help in BOTH.

[hlthe2b]

7. Not news to any DUer and not an excuse for no action locally.

There are statewide investigative and response resources available. Doing nothing is not an option.

[cinematicdiversions]

5. I agree.

Arrest everyone. And keep arresting them. Trespass them from town. Put them to work cleaning up the city. Zero tolerance for littering let alone the nonsense these idiots are doing.

[MichMan]

16. Does little good to arrest people if the prosecutors aren't going to charge them

[MrModerate]

8. Hard to tell who the combatants were, but it's probably Proud Boys vs antifas...

Or something like that.

But "right-wing and left-wing" hardly describe such groups these days.

Politically, antifas are much closer to anarchists than to Marxists, and Proud Boys are more like nascent Death Squads for a future authoritarian regime than rich White guys in their golf carts at The Villages.

Maybe "goons" vs "plug-uglies" instead

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. There was a gathering of PBs, 3pc'ers in Portland. They couldn't get to their first place so they

... they regrouped at a closed up KMart parking lot.

This is probably the result.

[IronLionZion]

9. What's their cause?

Are they trying to accomplish something? Because it looks like they just want to fight.

[NCDem47]

12. Or play Paintball!! Just take it to one of the courses guys. Jeez.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. This is what the Proud Boys, 3 percenters, OathFuckers want. Attention. Don't give it to them

This was Hitler's tactic in the 1920s. Beat up unionists, socialists, communists in the streets and then proclaim that there is chaos and only he can fix it (by authoritarian clamp downs & abuse).

[maxsolomon]

13. Antifa won't let the Fascists come in to town without confronting them.

The Fascists are coming in to town largely from suburban, exurban and rural locations (and many from WA). They are coming in TO start trouble.

Antifa doesn't go to podunk.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. I like that "Antifa doesn't go to podunk." . . . .nt

[maxsolomon]

17. that was the big fear last summer.

https://www.wired.com/story/antifa-social-media-rumor-forks-washington/

[BadGimp]

19. Agreed 100%

[TheFarseer]

15. Really unfortunate because

Antifa gets all the blame for this. I hope Lefty’s get that this violence is counterproductive.

[maxsolomon]

18. As opposed to letting Fascists parade openly through

one of America's most Liberal cities? they're coming in to town ARMED to fight several times a year. it's the same people who invaded the Capitol on 1/6, with the same weapons, and they've been attacking Portland for years.

the Light Rail Stabbing was over 4 years ago.

Antifa does not get all the blame for this. in the yellow press, maybe.