Three people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday after protesters clashed with police during a free speech rally near City Hall and various parks in the city.
Hundreds of people gathered for what started out as a celebration of free speech and morphed into a battle between pro- and anti-Trump camps. The gathering was also aimed at memorializing the horrific hate crime that left two men dead in a stabbing on a Portland train last week.
At the beginning of the day, pro-Trump organizer Joey Gibson called those who died heroes for their bravery in defending two young teenage girls from a bigoted attack. “Find it in yourself to make this day possible, with no hate and no violence. I’m sick and tired of the hatred … that has taken over the country,” Gibson said.
The pro-free speech rally attracted a number of familiar faces at other, similar demonstrations from around the country. At one point in the afternoon, Kyle “Based Stickman” Chapman gave a speech to supporters.
Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman got quite a reception here at Terry Schrunk Plaza. pic.twitter.com/O0KKO1iBxp
— Eder Campuzano (@edercampuzano) June 4, 2017
Despite pleas for peace and nonviolence, police confiscated a number of weapons from protesters, mainly from the Antifa and anti-Trump camps.
These are some of the items that have been seized so far today. pic.twitter.com/VsfenLPZhS
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 4, 2017
Police make another raid and take more antifa poles. #Portland pic.twitter.com/1n72lpDT1m
— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 4, 2017
Hundreds gathered at Portland City Hall, standing off with trump supporters chanting "USA!" pic.twitter.com/8INbLwBvUD
— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 4, 2017
In one video, police can be seen storming an anarchist camp while protesters yell expletives and insults.
Cops literally busted the anarchist rally. Total ownage of the anarchists. Confiscation. Unsure about arrests pic.twitter.com/5k7MvbVvjs
— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 4, 2017
In another video, an apparent pro-Trump activist lights an anarchist’s flag on fire.
Local racist who goes by Porkchop burns anarchist flag. pic.twitter.com/CBhSlErcNP
— Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) June 4, 2017
The Oregonian uploaded footage of police deploying flash-bangs and tear gas in order to disperse black-masked individuals protesting in a public park.
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