About 150 self-described anarchists dressed in black – many also wearing helmets, balaclavas and body armor – gathered in a parking lot east of downtown Portland on Wednesday afternoon for an Induction Day rally.
His political views were difficult to define.
“We are ungovernable,” said a banner stretched out on the sidewalk.
Before the day was over, windows were smashed at the Democratic Party’s state headquarters and police in riot gear chased protesters in the darkness.
Portland Police Sergeant Kevin Allen said the police “quickly identified several suspects responsible for damages and related criminal activities” and made several arrests.
The scene dates back to a summer of unrest here, where protests for racial justice persisted for more than 100 days, with peaceful demonstrations giving way to nightly battles between activists committed to destruction and authorities who declared riots and fired tear gas.
Demonstrations had become less frequent recently and it seemed possible that, with President Trump’s departure, the movement would subside. But when organizers sent a call on social media for Wednesday’s rally, familiar faces were visible in the crowd.
In the past, the police often hesitated until the crowds became undisciplined. This time, a dozen police officers showed up on bicycles while the protesters were still gathering.
Teal Lindseth, a 22-year-old activist wearing a black protective vest, mask and orange ski cap, marched up to one of the officers.
“What are you doing here?” she screamed. “We have the right to meet.”
A young man stood inches from the policeman’s face and cursed him several times before asking, “How long are you going to stay here?”
“Until my boss tells me to go,” replied the policeman.
A protester breaks the door of the Oregon Democratic Party headquarters in Portland on Wednesday.
(Richard Read / Los Angeles Times)
An anarchist symbol marks the Oregon Democratic Party’s headquarters in Portland on Wednesday.
(Richard Read / Los Angeles Times)
The crowd advanced towards the officers. The police stepped back and rode towards the crowd. An officer confiscated a pair of posts used to display a banner, apparently concerned that they could be used as weapons.
The crowd began to chant a familiar cry: “All cops are bastards.”
The policemen watched, impassive. Then, by apparent command from a command post, they left.
Activists circulated, looking unsure of what to do next. Following the anarchist code, which forbids leaders, a young man speaking through a megaphone said he was not trying to tell anyone what to do, but he advised them to start marching.
And so they did, meandering through the streets behind a banner that said: “We don’t want Biden – we want revenge! For police murders, imperialist wars and fascist massacres. ”
They also shouted “Black life is important,” although some local leaders in the racial justice movement have said they want nothing to do with Portland’s violent protesters.
The crowd was followed by reporters, photographers and a police vehicle that fired warnings from a speaker:
“This is the Portland Police Department! No licenses have been issued for roads in the area. Go to the sidewalk. Failure to comply with this order may subject you to service, arrest or use of crowd control agents and / or impact weapons. “
Eventually, the activists arrived at the Oregon Democratic Party office building.
They dragged a trash can to the middle of the street. Then, several held umbrellas to hide the identity of a spray-painted man who began writing anti-Biden slogans and drawing anarchist symbols on windows and walls.
Another man stepped forward and smashed the windows with a crowbar while other protesters grabbed the blinds and pulled them down.
The car stopped a block away, and the officer on the loudspeaker told activists to stop damaging the building, threatening them with arrest. A truck carrying police in riot gear approached and the activists started to run.
Soon the street was empty, except for a passerby who pushed the trash back to the curb.