Protesters set fires & clash with NYC cops after hundreds turn out for 'Count Every Vote' march in Manhattan, conflict in Portland & tensions in Arizona

RT
Thu, 05 Nov 2020 03:59 UTC

© New York Police Department

A fire is extinguished during heated protests in Manhattan, New York City, November 4, 2020.

A number of demonstrators were arrested amid a post-Election Day protest march through Manhattan that drew hundreds of participants, seeing some activists light fires and clash with a heavy police presence in the area.

A sizable 'Count Every Vote' rally that began in Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon continued into the evening, drawing around 400 or 500 marchers, a local protest group estimated.

Though the earlier action appears to have gone off without incident, with a large crowd allowed to march through the streets hoisting banners and signs, the demonstration took on a more tense atmosphere as day turned to night. Protesters who gathered at Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan were met by "hundreds of cops" and a "constellation of police helicopters," according to the Gothamist's Jake Offenhartz, who documented the event on the ground.

A secondary march that broke away from the group at the park was flanked by dozens of riot officers on bicycles, who began making arrests as the crowd grew more agitated. Police also began efforts to "kettle" the rally, a tactic used to control the movement of large protests.

As the event grew more heated, scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators, who Offenhartz described as "heavy on black bloc," referring to militant left-wing protesters who don all-black at rallies and often clash with law enforcement.

Protesters also ignited several small fires around the city, with the flames and efforts to extinguish them captured in footage circulating online.

The New York Police Department addressed the rally in a tweet as it was ongoing on Wednesday night, noting that while it supports "everyone's right to self-expression," setting fires "puts others at risk and will not be tolerated." It added that officers were working to "de-escalate" the protest.

The department said it made over 20 arrests during the protest, describing the arrestees as "individuals who attempted to hijack a peaceful protest by lighting fires, throwing garbage and eggs in Manhattan," also sharing a photo of weapons it said it seized at the march, including multiple blades, fireworks and what appeared to be a taser device.

Comment: And it wasn't only New York. The National Guard was called to quell widespread violence and vandalism in Portland:

Portland law enforcement officials announced the Guard deployment late on Wednesday evening, after a protest rally grew unruly in the city's downtown area. The move comes after Governor Kate Brown passed an executive order placing Portland's public safety under a "Unified Command," jointly overseen by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon State Police and the state's National Guard.

"The Unified Command declared a riot in downtown Portland as one of two groups marching tonight started breaking windows and committing other crimes. The sound truck has given a warning that rioters are subject to arrest and use of teargas," Oregon State Police spokesman Captain Tim Fox said in a video statement.

Due to the widespread violence occurring, Governor Kate Brown, under the advice of the Unified Command, has activated the use of the Oregon national guard to assist law enforcement in the interest of public safety.

Fox did not specify when the Guard unit would arrive in the city, however Brown's order, issued on Monday, required troops to remain on standby in the event of post-election turmoil.

Footage circulating online showed protesters squaring off with police clad in riot gear and military-style uniforms, some making arrests. In one clip, a swarm of officers is seen closing in on a small group of demonstrators at a street corner.

[...]

Ballot counting was accompanied by wary protesters in Maricopa County, Arizona:

Police are facing off with protesters that have gathered outside the elections department in Maricopa County, Arizona, as the country waits for the state to finish counting ballots. Joe Biden holds a narrow lead there.

Video shows sheriff's deputies in tactical gear guarding the building housing the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC), which is currently tabulating the remaining uncounted ballots in the close presidential contest. Outside, more than 100 pro-Trump demonstrators were seen waving flags, signs and shouting slogans.

Media reports emerged that the office would shut its doors to the public and media due to safety concerns stemming from the demonstrators. However, a spokesperson for the elections department has said that counting will continue and that they will release new results shortly.