Patriot Prayer, antifa clash in downtown Portland

Patriot Prayer, antifa clash in downtown Portland

By:

• Jennifer Dowling and KOIN 6 News Staff

Posted: Jun 30, 2018 02:11 PM PDT
Updated: Jun 30, 2018 06:17 PM PDT



Patriot Prayer members arrive on a bus from Vancouver at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a protest on June 30, 2018. (KOIN)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two opposing protest groups -- Patriot Prayer and antifa -- clashed in downtown Portland Saturday.

Portland police called the gathering a riot after officers observed assaults and other criminal behavior during a Patriot Prayer march downtown on Saturday. They said failure to leave the area could result in arrests.

Patriot Prayer had a permit for a Freedom and Courage rally and march, but police revoked that permit when the groups began to clash shortly after the march started around 6 p.m.

People were lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs in the crowd and police used flash bangs in an effort to disperse the clashing protesters.

More than 100 members of Patriot Prayer group gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza and more than 100 counter protesters with an antifa group gathered across the street at Chapman Square for rallies before a march.

Participants were met with strict security as they entered the plaza. Officers were searching for weapons and did handcuff at least two people, including Patriot Prayer member Tusitala "Tiny" Toese.

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Officers handcuff Tusitala "Tiny" Toese, a Patriot Prayer member at a rally on June 30, 2018. (KOIN)

Patriot Prayer organizer Joey Gibson said they brought busloads of people from Vancouver to Portland for the event.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...ft_normal.jpegJennifer Dowling@JenDowlingKoin6

Patriot Prayer supporters are being brought in on buses from Vancouver, WA #protests #patriotprayer #pdx #rally #portland #vancouver

4:17 PM - Jun 30, 2018 · Portland, OR

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https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...ft_normal.jpegJennifer Dowling@JenDowlingKoin6


The #patriotprayer group has a lot of signs & symbols supporting Trump at today's rally in #pdx #protests

4:34 PM - Jun 30, 2018 · Portland, OR

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A group called Eugene Antifa created a Facebook event called "Defend PDX: Patriot Prayer's violence must end"

"It is very important that antifascists keep up the pressure so that we can stop them once and for all," the Facebook page says.

"There will be a significant law enforcement presence in Downtown Portland, due to past threats and acts of violence between these different groups, both locally and nationally," Portland police said.

Police were already dressed in riot gear before the 4 p.m. start time in preparation for the protests.

They said because of those threats, people should not bring weapons to any event. PPB said officers made probably cause arrests and seized weapons.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...lqB_normal.jpgPortland Police

✔@PortlandPolice

Officers have made probable cause arrests in today's demonstration around Terry Schrunk Plaza and Chapman Square. Ofcs are also seizing weapons.

4:13 PM - Jun 30, 2018

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A similar clash of protests happened in Portland on June 3, the anniversary of a 2017 face off between those groups. During that demonstration, fights broke out and several people were arrested.

https://www.koin.com/news/local/mult...and/1275820060

Portland police arrest four, federal officers arrest five during downtown protests

by KATU News
Saturday, June 30th 2018

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Police arrested four people, Donovan Flippo, Tusitala Foese, Luis Marquez, and Matthew Braddock during protests in downtown Portland on June 30, 2018. Mug shots courtesy Multnomah County Jail

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Police Bureau arrested four people were arrested at a rally and march in downtown Portland Saturday.

The “Freedom and Courage” rally hosted by the right-wing Patriot Prayer group and its leader, Joey Gibson, met at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 4 p.m. before later marching through the streets of Portland.

The group did have a permit for the rally and march, but it was later revoked after police say people were assaulted and projectiles were used. Police declared the demonstration a riot.

“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,” said Deputy Chief Bob Day.

Portland police say the four people were arrested in connection with criminal investigations that began prior to Saturday’s protests.

Police say several incidents of criminal behavior were filmed on various media platforms including disorderly conduct, assault, theft, robbery, and reckless burning. Police ask victims of these crimes to file police reports.

The four people arrested Saturday include:

Luiz E. Marquez, 46, was arrested in connection to an investigation that began on June 3 during protests that occurred in downtown Portland. Marquez was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of first-degree theft, third-degree theft and third-degree assault.

Tusitala J. Toese was arrested in connection with an investigation that began on June 8 in downtown Portland. Toese was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of fourth-degree assault.

Donovon L. Flippo was also arrested in connection with an investigation that began on June 8. He was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct.

Matthew R. Braddock was arrested in connection with an investigation that began on May 31 in downtown Portland. He was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of second-degree robbery and third-degree assault.

Department of Homeland Security says they arrested five additional people.

Police also said several people were injured and four were taking to nearby hospitals by ambulanced. One person suffered serious injuries. All of them are expected to survive.

An officer was also injured and was taken in a patrol car to the hospital.

During the protest, officers deployed less lethal munitions, including aerial distraction devices and robber ball distraction devices. Deputies from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office also used pepper spray and pepper balls.

http://katu.com/news/local/portland-...ntown-protests