As I wrote about yesterday, the Oregon State Police announced on Thursday that they were departing from Portland, and suggested the reason was the announcement earlier in the week by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt that his office would not charge rioters with any crimes other than an assault on a police officer.
In what might have been a celebration of the departure of the State Police, ANTIFA/BLM Portland seemed to turn up the violence level tonight when they returned to suburban neighborhoods of Portland. But Portland PD wasn’t having any of it. They continued their recent habit of using aggressive force and significant violence to disperse the mob.
Riot truck unloads pic.twitter.com/ykylMb0Jtx
— Jasper Florence (They/Them) (@JFlorencePDX) August 15, 2020
Portland Police has just warned protesters to clear the streets or be subject to use of force. #PortlandProtest #PDXProtest #Blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/sFwztFKmfk
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 15, 2020
Police jump into protestor shield line, push protestors down, hit them with Billy clubs pic.twitter.com/PmMjkWJN27
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 15, 2020
Portland Police executed a running charge across the bridge after a short standoff with protesters. The crowd continues to splinter as the police continues it’s pursuit. #PortlandProtests #PDXProtest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WM66T3BCwl
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 15, 2020
Portland Police officers executed several charges and made multiple arrests. The crowd is still mobile with police in pursuit. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #Blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/09pOcnmllz
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 15, 2020
Portland police bull rush protestors on a bridge pic.twitter.com/pMU2hcJi6P
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 15, 2020
Antifa driver who was blocking the road gets his car tires slashed by Portland Police. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/xJBHjajxcy
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 15, 2020
Portland Police continue the push. Riot officers displace members of the Press & legal observers. They could not move faster because of the crowd around them. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #Blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/Mln2qguUuF
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 15, 2020
Since the results were no different in the suburbs without the State Police presence, it will be interesting to see if Antifa/BLM opt to return to downtown Portland on Saturday night.
