PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police say 100 anarchists marched through downtown Portland Tuesday night, doing $500,000 in damage.
In a press release, police said "100 people caused substantial damage to businesses and government buildings in downtown Portland," but the bureau altered the statement shortly thereafter, saying "100 anarchists" did the damage.
Police say the group hit 35 different locations, "including banks, retail stores, coffee shops, and government buildings." Graffiti on the side of Nordstrom Rack says, "Breakin windows is good."
According to social media posts, there was a direct-action march overnight at the same time. The march was in honor of Sean Kealiher. The activist was killed two years ago. His case remains unsolved.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement he is "concerned about the brazen criminal acts that took place downtown last night. I want to assure those who were victimized that investigations are underway, and we will do whatever we can to identify and arrest those who were responsible."
According to its press release, PPB said, at one point, activists laid down in front of police cars in an effort to prohibit officers from responding.
The damage, clear in the light of day, is extremely frustrating to many, including Lance Lewis, who works in downtown.
"I don’t understand what’s going on," Lewis said. "This city is in chaos, and something needs to be done. I don’t know, how about we enforce laws?"
(Excerpt) Read more at
katu.com ...
A mostly peaceful protest, unlike those dirty Jan. 6 insurrectionists!