Violence, Looting, Arson in Portland as Demonstrators Burn the City in Protest
Portland experienced another night of violence,
looting, and widespread arson as demonstrators took to the streets,
attempting to break into the federal courthouse and lighting several
fires throughout the city, prompting a response from federal law
enforcement.
Protesters gathered downtown late Monday night and targeted the Federal Courthouse and Justice Center, vandalizing the buildings and attempting to break into them. According to a statement from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), demonstrators “tampered with and climbed on the gate leading under the Justice Center and pounded on plywood on the exterior of the building” and “behaved similarly at the Federal Courthouse.”
Police said protesters, who were equipped with hammers, crowbars, hammers, shields, helmets, gas masks, “and other pry tools,” pounded on the courthouse and broke the plywood covering one side of the building. They successfully broke through the plywood after midnight and broke “at least one window”:
The protest crowds in Portland continue to grow in response to the arrival of the feds.— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) July 21, 2020
There are probably about 2,000 people here right now in front of the Justice Center, with moms in yellow lined up in front, stretching across a whole block. pic.twitter.com/oCuO7Lx7pP
The only reason they would choose to attack the federal courthouse is because they know federal agents must respond to stop them. https://t.co/0nsD0Wc3qq— Claude Loves Guarantee Mechanisms (@Th3Claude) July 21, 2020
Rioters were successful in tearing off part of the protective barrier of the Portland federal courthouse. They then try to shatter the glass so that they can start a fire inside. They had some success doing that two weeks ago. Video by @NancyRomm. #antifa pic.twitter.com/KpcNi7mp0S— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 21, 2020
Person punches the plywood protecting the Portland federal courthouse. Others try kicking it. pic.twitter.com/GLdl95qdmZ— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 21, 2020
Rioters are tearing away the protective barrier of the Portland federal courthouse piece-by-piece. #antifa #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/2wAIWC4Z4T— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 21, 2020
Avoid the area around SW 3rd and SW Main. Portland Police is aware that federal law enforcement have deployed CS gas. Hundreds of people are scattering around the adjacent streets. People are throwing projectiles and are armed with clubs hammers and other weapons. Avoid the area— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 21, 2020
Authorities also received a call after 3 a.m. of a jewelry store break-in.
“Portland Police responded and found the windows broken out and could
see that valuables had been removed. Officers searched the area for the
suspects. A vehicle fled the scene as officers investigated,” the PPB
reported, adding that a caller “reported that windows at City Hall were
broken out”:
Protestors are at the door of the federal courthouse, on the eve of day 54 pic.twitter.com/O8rRw6Ee2Z— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 21, 2020
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