OF THE
TIMES
Police have arrested 13 people on a range of charges, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and unlawful use of a weapon, after right-wing demonstrators squared off with Antifa counter-protesters in Portland, Oregon.
Speaking at a press conference in the wake of the protests in Portland, which were marred by sporadic incidents of violence, city mayor Ted Wheeler hailed police for doing "an exemplary job of de-escalating the situation." He described the demonstration as a "largely peaceful event" despite the emergence of multiple videos documenting attacks mostly by Antifa on right-wing demonstrators.
In one particularly violent episode, a gang of masked protesters viciously attacked two buses carrying right-wing activists, pelting the vehicles with rocks, throwing a hammer, and attempting to force their way onto one of the buses by smashing its doors.
Conflicting reports and additional video suggest that the hammer may have been taken from a right-wing demonstrator during the skirmish.
Footage shows the door of the bus opening, with a right-wing protester swinging a hammer at Antifa members who had swarmed around the entrance of the vehicle.
While the mayor's remark may have raised some eyebrows, Portland police chief Danielle Outlaw reported that 13 people were arrested in connection with the turmoil, on charges including disorderly conduct, interfering with police, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Officially: Antifa is not a unified group; it is loose collection of local/regional groupsIn my experience, mostly correct.
So where were all the cops? I dare say they were the folks who were masked. They had to create that problem before they could solve it.
R.C.