Far-right groups gathered in Portland today for a massive „Freedom Rally“ which some feared would lead to violence. Watch here.
Residents of Portland were bracing for violence as members of Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys arrived in Portland today for a “Freedom March.”
The Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer gathered at around noon today in a riverside park, while members of the far-left Antifa staked them out from across the street, holding banners and yelling, “Nazi go home.”
There were concerns that today’s event would lead to violent clashes — like last year’s “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. But an hour after the protest started, there were no real signs of violence. There is also a heavy police presence, with officers in riot gear keeping protesters and counter-protesters separate.
On Twitter, videos circulated that appeared to show members of Antifa destroying a Nazi flag:
Antifa is now shredding and attempting to burn a Nazi flag in downtown Portland. #DefendPDX #AlloutPDX pic.twitter.com/9e42YIt7iN
— PDX Mike Bivins (@itsmikebivins) August 4,2018
As the march started, police ordered counter-protesters to disperse. Authorities had reported spotted weapons in the crowd. You can see video here:
Portland Police order counter-protesters to disperse after spotting weapons in the crowd ( @ScottCohnTV) pic.twitter.com/doNNBoZY3V
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4,2018
And more video, from another angle, here:
The Patriot Prayer & Proud Boy racists are marching along the waterfront in Portland. They’re outnumbered & are being followed by counterprotesters. The police are protecting the racists & have issued warnings, alleging that counterprotesters have weapons. https://t.co/g77tXH3rcC
— Carlita Saint (@PurpleDrank_) August 4,2018
You can also watch the march from the Proud Boys’ perspective, here:
. @Timcast reporting that police have warned Antifa to disperse. The police have observed Antifa carrying weapons. „Leave or you’ll be arrested“ https://t.co/MfwcDx5sZZ
— The Proud Boys (@ProudBoysUSA) August 4,2018
And you can see video of the police searching protesters for weapons here:
Portland police are trying to voluntarily pat down proud boys here, they are walking around asking people if they will consent to a pat down and are trying to take peoples weapons away. It’s not working! pic.twitter.com/eZ5Ir8yOKi
— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) August 4,2018
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