Police declared a riot Friday night in a demonstration where people shattered glass and scrawled graffiti while marching through Northwest Portland.
The riot declaration came hours after Portland’s mayor and acting police chief urged the public to safely stand up to the black bloc group of demonstrators who continue to plan “direct actions” around the city that routinely end with shattered windows, fires and other vandalism.
Both officials said they believe residents are fed up watching the threats and destruction by a small group of “self-described anarchists.”
Friday’s event was billed as an “autonomous demonstration” beginning at Couch Park. A flyer for the demonstration urged attendees to wear black and discouraged live streamers from attending.
Police tweeted images of a broken window at a Starbucks shop, as well as graffiti on windows and a TriMet bus shelter. They also said a resident who was preparing to film demonstrators had a rock thrown through his window.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief, according to police.
— The Oregonian/OregonLive