The right-wing Patriot Prayer group had received a permit to rally in downtown Portland, but when members of the Portland Labor Against Fascists threw eggs, water bottles, and firecrackers at the marchers, federal police fired paintballs loaded with pepper spray into the crowd, the Oregonian reported.
Fireworks and other objects are being thrown at today's protest around 2nd and Main. Permit is now cancelled. People need to leave roadway and proceed to sidewalk.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 1, 2018
Police are now declaring this event a riot. People must leave the area immediately.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 1, 2018
Portland police and Department of Homeland Security police were at the protest in riot gear, KGW reported.
Neither rally was focused on President Trump's immigration policy, KGW reported.
Police declared a riot and revoked the rally permit, the Oregonian reported.
"Portland Police planned for today's protest so that people could exercise their First Amendment rights to speech and assembly," Portland Deputy Chief Bob Day said in a statement. "We seized numerous weapons early on, and interceded and separated people when necessary. However, once projectiles, such as fireworks, eggs, rocks, bottles and construction equipment were thrown and people were injured, we ordered people to disperse."
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