Portland protests draw largest crowd in weeks amid clashes with federal agents
Portland endured yet another night of violence and vandalism Monday — after the largest crowd in weeks stormed the streets for the 53rd day of protests.
The massive crowd included moms dressed in yellow and dads dressed in orange, who marched with protesters to the Multnomah County Justice Center and created a human shield to protect them against police, KOIN reported.
Video taken by a KOIN reporter shows the parents and protesters arm in arm as they slowly march down the street.
The moms — part of a group called “Wall of Moms” — were also on hand Saturday and Sunday.
But as the night wore on, the protests descended into yet another evening of clashes between protesters and federal officers, who were recently deployed to the city by President Trump.
Demonstrators set garbage cans on fire and broke through plywood protecting the federal courthouse to smash the windows, according to Portland police. Windows of the city hall building were also destroyed and a jewelry store on SW 3rd Avenue was looted.
No arrests were made, police said.
Videos posted by a KOIN reporter show federal officers shooting pepper-spray balls and tear gas at protesters and then charging toward a crowd near the courthouse.
Portland has been a flashpoint in the nationwide movement for racial equality following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May.
Protesters torched Portland’s police union headquarters on Saturday, with officials declaring a riot.
Last week, Oregon officials said they planned to sue the Trump administration for sending the federal officers to the city.