Portland police arrested about 100 protesters on Friday night amid a new wave of protests in the city.
Police said on Saturday that the group started marching around 9 pm local time, and that some began breaking windows in the area about 15 minutes later. Protesters started throwing rocks and cans of beer at the police when the police formed a perimeter and the police spread pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
“A police perimeter was set up around a group. Everyone within the perimeter: you are being detained for investigating a crime. You are not free to leave. You must stay where you are and comply with the legal orders of the police, ”warned the police at the time of the clashes.
A police perimeter was set up around a group. Everyone within the perimeter: you are being detained for investigating a crime. You are not free to leave. You must stay where you are and comply with the legal orders of the officers. (continuous)
– Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) March 13, 2021
Of the prisoners, 13 people were indicted, including two who carried firearms and wore bulletproof vests and helmets.
Friday’s demonstration marked the second consecutive night of protests, which focused mainly on the presence of Department of Homeland Security officials at the Federal Court in downtown Portland.
Violence increased in the city after experiencing a lull in the demonstrations since last summer, when demonstrations against police violence against people of color swept the city. These protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd by the police in Minneapolis in May.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) said on Friday that he is asking the city council for a single $ 2 million fund for police patrols in order to combat the increase in demonstrations.