Portland Proud Boys rally ends with NO major clashes despite fears the pro-Trump event would be targeted by BLM as police seize 'condom bombs' from counter-protesters and investigate assault on man (68 Pics)
Police say a right-wing Proud Boys rally and counter-protests in Portland, Oregon, have largely dispersed without serious violence, though they are investigating an assault after one person who was documenting the event was pushed to the ground and kicked in the face.
About 1,000 people gathered at the Proud Boys rally in Delta Park on Saturday, while a group of 500 left-wing counter-protesters massed at nearby Peninsula Park, leading to fears of clashes.
Ahead of the right-wing rally, which organizers said was to support President Donald Trump and 'to end domestic terrorism', Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency and Mayor Ted Wheeler said it poses the 'greatest threat we've faced so far' amid fears of clashes with left-wing protesters.
At the site of the left-wing Black Lives Matter counter-protest, cops said they seized buckets full of large rocks as well as condoms 'full of unknown liquid'. Condoms filled with urine have previously been used as weapons by Antifa supporters in Portland.
Three blocks from the left-wing protest, an Oregon State Trooper sustained minor injuries after a large rock was throw at his patrol car window, police said.
Separately, police said a criminal citation was issued after officials confiscated firearms, paintball guns, baseball bats and shields from a pick-up truck that was initially stopped for having obscured license plates as it left the Proud Boys rally.
The Proud Boys hold a rally in Portland, Oregon. Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency prior to Saturdays rally as fears of political violence between Proud Boys and Black Lives Matter protesters grew
Armed left-wing Black Lives Matter protesters (above) gathered in another Portland park about three miles away to counter protest the Proud Boys. It raised fears of violent clashes, but the two rallies dispersed without major incident
At the site of the left-wing Black Lives Matter counter-protest, cops seized buckets full of large rocks as well as condoms 'full of unknown liquid'
After the rally, Proud Boys were spotted loading into trucks with shields and paintball guns in a caravan headed to Vancouver
Police confirmed that officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving Delta Park. The officers took possession of firearms, paintball guns, baseball bats, and shields. At least one criminal citation was issued
Photos show the Proud Boys, some heavily kitted out in military-style attire and toting bats and paintball guns, distributing makeshift riot shields from the back of a truck. Police say banned shields were spotted at both rallies and vowed to seize them.
'Our primary focus is life-safety and protection of free speech rights, without regard to the content of that speech,' said a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office spokesman.
At the Proud Boys rally, a man who was livestreaming the event was pushed to the ground and kicked in the face by an unknown assailant. Police are actively investigating, and seeking information in the case.
The events began at noon and were largely dispersed by 3pm. The Oregon Department of Transportation shut down the interstate highway for a brief time to help control the crowd and flow of traffic.
'The purpose of this closure was to clear some people out of the area who wanted to leave and to keep competing groups separate,' said Chris Liedle, a spokesman with the Multnomah County Sheriff´s Office, in updates posted on Twitter, as the city had braced for the threat of violence with multiple rallies in the area.
Police also said they arrested three people, including a man suspected of driving under the influence and a woman for an outstanding arrest warrant, Liedle said.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement: 'I'm pleased to say that through the unified efforts of Oregon State Police, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, and the Portland Police, events earlier today were free from serious violence. Thanks to those who demonstrated peacefully. May that continue throughout the evening.'
About 1,000 people gathered at the right-wing Proud Boys rally in Delta Park on Saturday in Portland, Oregon
Proud Boy organizers take the stage at a right-wing rally on Saturday, amid fears of violent clashes with counter-protesters
Members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators attend a rally on Saturday in Portland, Oregon
Photos show the Proud Boys, some heavily kitted in military-style attire and toting bats and paintball guns, distributing makeshift riot shields from the back of a truck
Police say banned shields were spotted at both rallies, and vowed to seize them 'as can be done safely and as resources allow'
A Proud Boy supporter is seen carrying a bat and an American flag at Saturday's rally. A large counter-protest nearby led to fears of violent clashes between left-wing and right-wing groups
A supporter of the far right group Proud Boys carries a paintball gun at a rally in Portland, Oregon on Saturday
A Trump supporter poses for a photo on Saturday at Delta Park in Portland, Oregon at a rally to 'end domestic terrorism'
An elderly woman reacts during a the Proud Boys rally, which drew Trump supporters from around the region
Women wearing 'women for Trump' and 'Asians for Trump' shirts show their support at the Proud Boys rally
A police officer speaks to supporters of the far right group Proud Boys at a rally in Portland, Oregon on Saturday
The right-wing event was organized by the Proud Boys, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has called a hate group, saying members regularly use anti-Muslim and white nationalist rhetoric. The group vehemently denies it holds racist ideology, insisting it is a fraternal group spreading an 'anti-political correctness' and 'anti-white guilt' agenda.
At Saturday's rally, a black member of the Proud Boys took the stage and proclaimed: 'I am not an African American, I am an American.'
Just two miles away from the pro-Trump rally, left-wing counter protesters gathered in another park. Police have canceled all officer leave in order to ramp up efforts to keep the two groups apart.
At the counter protest, organizers led the crowd in chants of 'Nazis out' and 'cops and Klan, hand in hand'.
In Portland and across the country, Black Lives Matter protesters have been taking to the streets of America since May, demanding an end to police brutality and racism following the Memorial Day in-custody death of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Demonstrations erupted once again this week when a Kentucky grand jury decided to not bring murder charges against officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor - a black EMT who was shot six times and killed in a botched raid in March.
Portland has been the scene of some of the most violent demonstrations. On Wednesday, protesters lobbed a massive firebomb at police, and such attacks have increased in frequency.
Proud Boys and far-right groups kneel in prayer while clutching cans at the rally in an Oregon park Saturday
Some attendees waved the Confederate Flag which has been banned from Portland schools as a symbol of racism and white supremacy
Members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators attend the rally at a park near downtown Portland
Proud Boys wearing military body armor have started gathering for a pro-Trump rally to 'end domestic terrorism' in Portland, after Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency
A member of the Proud Boys, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has called a hate group for its anti-Muslim, white supremacist stance, has the group's name tattooed on his arm
Two Proud Boys members sport Fred Perry shirts. The Proud Boys adopted the company's black polo shirt with yellow laurel as their uniform - something that the company has tried to distance itself from, pulling sales of the shirt out of the US because of the association
By midday when the rally started, just 200 people had descended on the park - far fewer than the thousands expected
Almost everyone was wearing some sort of militarized body armor, including helmets and protective vests
Dozens of people waving MAGA flags and decked in Proud Boys merchandise arrived early for the right-wing rally Saturday
The rally is expected to attract thousands who support the president and his 'law and order' reelection campaign
Some attendees carried signs reading 'Free Kyle Now' - a reference to Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old Illinois teen charged with shooting dead two protesters and injuring another in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators kneel in prayer at the rally
Shields are seen as people gather for the rally in Portland, Oregon, where Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency
Two hours before the event was to start, dozens of people began showing up, some packed into the beds of pickup trucks.
By midday when the rally started, just 200 people had descended on the park - far fewer than the thousands expected.
The rally kicked off with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Almost everyone was wearing some sort of militarized body armor, including helmets and protective vests, but very few wore face masks to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Several were heavily-armed with rifles slung over their shoulders.
Many flew American flags or black flags bearing the logo of the Three Percenters, another far-right group and some wore Make America Great Again hats in a show of support for Trump.
The rally kicked off with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance before several speeches were held
The air filled with chants against Antifa and confrontations broke out when a large group of far-right attendees surrounded two men they suspected were from Antifa and pushed them out of the park
Some attendees waved the Confederate Flag which has been branded a symbol of racism and white supremacy
Several speeches were held, with many condemning Black Lives Matter protesters who have demonstrated every night for almost four months to call for an end to racism
A group of women wore 'Oregon women for Trump' and 'Asians for Trump' clothing.
Trump 2020 and MAGA merchandise stands were set up for supporters to stock up on more pro-Trump supplies, while men were seen offloading shields from a van in a sign of possible clashes to come.
Some attendees waved the Confederate Flag which has been branded a symbol of racism and white supremacy and banned from Portland schools as a result.
The Proud Boys flag with the laurel emblem also hung on a makeshift stage next to the American flag.
Some attendees carried signs reading 'Free Kyle Now' - a reference to Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old Illinois teen charged with shooting dead two protesters and injuring another in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Members of the Proud Boys and other far-right groups knelt in prayer at one point in the rally, some of them clutching cans of Coors Light beer while praying.
Several speeches were held, with many condemning Black Lives Matter protesters who have demonstrated every night for almost four months to call for an end to racism.
The air filled with chants against Antifa and confrontations broke out when a large group of far-right attendees surrounded two men they suspected were from Antifa and pushed them out of the park.
In their permit application for the event filed with the city this week, the Proud Boys referenced Rittenhouse and raised the specter of a vigilante response to the actions of a 'mob'.
'Portland leadership is unwilling to stop the violence,' the Proud Boys wrote in the application.
Members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators started arriving two hours before the rally was due t start
A woman holds 'Kyle's Life Matters' signs, a parody on 'Black Lives Matter' and in reference to Rittenhouse
One protester holds up a banner saying 'Who killed Aaron 'Jay' Danielson?' Danielson was a Trump supporter and Patriot Prayer follower who was shot and killed at a protest in downtown Portland
Trump 2020 and MAGA merchandise was on sale at the event expected to draw around 20,000 attendees
Mayor Ted Wheeler said it poses the 'greatest threat we've faced so far' amid fears of clashes with left-wing protesters
Right-wing groups hold up signs with 'who killed...?' on and banners reading 'Kyle's Life Matters' about Rittenhouse
The event is expected to attract thousands who support the president and his 'law and order' reelection campaign
A woman clad in Trump 2020 merchandise and American flags smiles at the rally where some were armed with bats
Crowds began to gather for the event organized by the 'hate group' and extreme right-wing group Proud Boys
'They have been blinded by their hatred of our President and will not allow outside help stopping the violence.'
Prosecutors say Rittenhouse murdered two protesters and wounded a third in Kenosha on August 25.
His attorneys are portraying him as a courageous American patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest over the police shooting of black man Jacob Blake.
The permit application also mentioned Aaron 'Jay' Danielson, a Trump supporter and Patriot Prayer follower, who was shot and killed after some vehicles in a pro-Trump car caravan diverted into downtown Portland and crossed paths with left-wing activists.
The suspect in the shooting, a self-described anti-fascist, was killed the following week by law enforcement as they tried to arrest him in Washington state.
Proud Boys members drink Coors light while shouting and gesturing at the rally Saturday
Many right-wing members carried flags and Trump 2020 merchandise as they shouted and chanted at the rally
Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio talks with a law enforcement officer in the park in Portland
He was then seen smoking a cigarette and holding a can of hard seltzer White Claw in front of an American flag
Very few people attending the rally were seen wearing face masks to slow the spread of coronavirus
Proud Boys raised the specter of a vigilante response to the actions of a 'mob' in the application for the rally sent to the city this week
TJ Detweiler, who works in construction and plumbing, said at Saturday's rally that he wanted to end domestic terrorism in the US.
'I would like to see people stop the looting and rioting and enjoy the country for what rights we have,' Detweiler said.
Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio was seen at the event talking with a law enforcement officer.
The Proud Boys have held multiple events in Portland since Trump's election alongside other right-wing groups such as Patriot Prayer that often end in violent clashes with left-wing counter-demonstrators.
The group has described Saturday's rally as a free speech event but local and state elected officials condemned it and rushed to shore up law enforcement ranks.
People wave flags at the rally that Mayor Ted Wheeler warned poses the 'greatest threat we have seen so far'
Clothing brand Fred Perry released a statement ahead of Saturday's rally saying it has 'absolutely nothing to do with us' as the Proud Boys have adopted the company's iconic black polo shirt with a yellow laurel as their uniform
A woman reacts to another person at the rally while men are seen sporting Proud Boys shirts
The event is taking place in a park about six miles north of downtown Portland. Just two miles away, left-wing counter protesters are gathering in another park
A right-wing demonstrator wears body armor reading 'I hate the left n racism' at Saturday's event
Police have canceled all officer leave in order to ramp up efforts to keep the right-wing groups and left-wing groups apart
Portland has been the scene of much of the demonstrations and the Proud Boys vowed that their rally will restore law and order
Some far-right rally attendees were heavily armed with rifles and wore military vests at Saturday's event
The Proud Boys flag with the laurel emblem hangs next to the American flag at the event
The Proud Boys bow their heads and kneel in prayer at the start of the rally which then erupted into chants
People carried Confederate flags which has been branded racist and a hate symbol by many across America
People embrace as they gather for the rally that has led Governor Kate Brown to declare a state of emergency
The Proud Boys have held multiple events in Portland since Trump's election alongside other right-wing groups
The group has described Saturday's rally as a free speech event but local and state elected officials condemned it and rushed to shore up law enforcement ranks
Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio said 'they will be peaceful unless provoked'
Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio said his group did not intend to cause violence.
'We will be peaceful unless provoked. I encourage people to protest us,' Tarrio wrote on Twitter on Thursday. 'What we won't condone or tolerate is violence towards attendees.'
The men-only Proud Boys group describes itself as a fraternal organization that is 'anti-racism' and 'anti-political correctness.'
Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Friday declared a state of emergency over the weekend due to risks of violence because of the rally involving thousands of members of what she called 'white supremacist groups'.
'I am incredibly concerned about the increased risk of violence in Portland this weekend,' Brown told reporters.
'These types of demonstrations in the past have often ended in fistfights, and sometimes escalated to bloodshed.'
Brown also noted, 'The Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer groups have come to Portland time and time again from out of state looking for a fight and the results are always tragic.
She then added a warning to the group.
'Let me be perfectly clear: We will not tolerate any kind of violence this weekend. Those stoking the flames of violence, those coming to Portland looking for a fight will be held accountable,' Brown said.
Under her emergency declaration, state troopers and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office will lead a law enforcement taskforce authorized to use 'proportional force' including tear gas to keep the peace, said Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown (in 2019) declared a state of emergency in Portland over fears of violence between BLM protesters and Proud Boys during a right-wing rally Saturday
Portland's Mayor Ted Wheeler said Saturday's arrival of the Proud Boys and other extreme right-wing groups poses the 'greatest threat we've faced so far'.
'The alt-right and white supremacist groups organizing to come to Portland on Saturday present the greatest threat we've faced so far,' he said in a statement.
'These groups embody and empower racism, intolerance and hate. Those are not Portland values, and they are not welcome here.
'Hate has no home in Portland. They have actively threatened violence against elected officials and others in our community.'
Civil rights group The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classifies the Proud Boys as a hate group, citing its members' anti-Muslim and misogynist rhetoric.
'Saturday's rally is the latest in a long series of sustained provocations that the Proud Boys have held in Portland,' SPLC research analyst Cassie Miller said in a statement on Friday.
Police are seen rushing towards BLM protesters after a petrol bomb was thrown at the Portland Police Bureau on September 23, following the Breonna Taylor grand jury decision
Local and federal police are seen heading towards protesters on September 23 in Portland
Portland protesters are seen taking cover from smoke during the September 23 demonstration
The FBI has also warned of the dangers the group brings to national security, with FBI director Christopher Wray in February comparing 'racially motivated violent extremism', particularly from white nationalists, to the threat of Isis and other foreign terror groups.
Clothing brand Fred Perry released a statement ahead of Saturday's rally saying it has 'absolutely nothing to do with us, and we are working with our lawyers to pursue any unlawful use of our brand.'
The Proud Boys adopted the company's iconic black polo shirt with a yellow laurel as their uniform leading Fred Perry to pull sales of the style out of America.
President Donald Trump, who has made law and order a principal theme of his bid for re-election on November 3, has singled out Portland as one of several Democratic-led cities he calls 'anarchist jurisdictions.'
His Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, says Trump's rhetoric is stoking the violence.
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