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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