Violence Erupts in Portland ‘Riot’ as Anti-Trump Protests Continue in Cities Across the Nation
Black Bloc does not help.
Police used pepper spray and “rubber baton rounds,” among other things, in efforts to disperse protesters.
What began as a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest at about 6 p.m. escalated as the night wore on due to demonstrators not affiliated with the group, said Teressa Raiford, a community organizer in Portland.
“They’re not coming to show solidarity, they’re coming because they know there’s going to be a big crowd,” Raiford said. “They don’t respect our movement.”
Simpson said anarchists “aligned with the Black Bloc groups” infiltrated the peaceful demonstration “covered head-to-toe and carrying weapons.”
More: Violence erupts in Portland ‘riot’ as anti-Trump protests continue in cities across the nation