Police are using flash-bangs and tear gas in an attempt to disperse rioters blocking streets and attacking law enforcement in Oregon.
According to the Portland Police, the escalating measures to disperse the crowd come in response to “burning projectiles” being hurled at police.
This action is following burning projectiles being thrown at officers.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) November 12, 2016
Reporters on the scene say the “burning projectiles” were fireworks.
LIVE: Anti-#Trump protesters in #Portland throw fireworks @PortlandPolice respond with tear gas https://t.co/nuSjTBQhZQ #NotMyPresident #PDX pic.twitter.com/t9gsFLkJfm
— Tim Brown (@timfsbrown) November 12, 2016
Police have been issuing warnings via Twitter.
Police are advising protesters on bridge that they must exit. They are not allowed on freeways.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) November 12, 2016
Police have warned rioters that those entering the freeway will be arrested. Traffic from an NBA game between the Portland Trailblazers and Sacramento Kings added to the complicated situation for police. The Trailblazers defeated the Kings 122-120 in overtime.
Police advising splinter protest that anyone entering the freeway will be subject to arrest.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) November 12, 2016
Video from the scene captures the dramatic moments that police escalated the tactics to disperse the crowd.
Police deploying flash bangs near city hall #Pdx #NotMyPresident #protest in SW Portland #KOIN6news pic.twitter.com/vBvfFFtEYh
— Jennifer Dowling (@JenDowlingKoin6) November 12, 2016
Even after the flash-bangs and tear gas, rioters continued to attack police by throwing projectiles and are warning that the assembly on 4th avenue is illegal and those who fail to disperse will be arrested.
Police advising crowd on 4th Avenue this is an unlawful assembly, if you do not disperse you are subject to arrest.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) November 12, 2016
Projectiles still being thrown at officers, as they try to move crowd down 4th Avenue.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) November 12, 2016
Dozens have been arrested during anti-Trump protests in Portland during riots over the last three nights.
Dustin Stockton is a political reporter for Breitbart News, a community liaison for Gun Owners of America, and a political strategist. Follow him on Twitter @DustinStockton or Facebook.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.