National Guard activated over violent protests in Portland
An electoral demonstration in Portland was declared a riot by the authorities
The unified police command declared a protest in downtown Portland as a riot Wednesday night and the Oregon National Guard was activated as election results continue to pour in across the country, KATU 2 reported.
A demonstration with the slogan “Defend Democracy” turned violent and the authorities seized weapons and ammunition during the arrests.
Authorities said the National Guard was deployed because there was “widespread violence” in downtown Portland, especially in the Southwest 10th and Harvey area.
Members of the National Guard are dressed in their military uniforms, authorities said.
At least 10 people were arrested during the riots.
Police said one of the people arrested had a rifle with a magazine full of ammunition attached. He also had several more ammunition magazines, an improvised explosive device, a knife, and cans of spray paint. Authorities said the subject was also wearing a tactical vest with ballistic plates. Police said the man is believed to have thrown a Molotov cocktail at Portland police officers.
Sgt Kevin Allen , a spokesman for the unified command, said in a video on Twitter shortly after 8 p.m. that rumors that an unmarked van was being used to arrest people were not true.
“Those arrested are transported in marked police vehicles. Some law enforcement agencies are using unmarked vans to transport official personnel and can be seen downtown, ”he said.
Authorities said Gov. Kate Brown had authorized the use of guards to assist local authorities in “the interest of public safety.”
The demonstrations that took place on Tuesday night of the elections in Portland remained peaceful.
Brown on Wednesday issued an executive order tasking the Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office with keeping the peace in post- election protests .
