Riot declared, National Guard called to downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two groups of protesters converged in downtown Portland Wednesday evening, with one group going to Waterfront Park and the other blocking the Morrison Bridge and vandalizing small businesses and churches along West Burnside.

That brought a swift response from the Unified Command of the Oregon State Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the Portland Police Bureau. The National Guard was activated around 7 p.m. A riot was declared around the same time.

At least 10 people had been arrested in downtown Portland by 9 p.m., according to Unified Command. Authorities said they arrested a man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at officers. That man, who had not been identified, was wearing a tactical vest and had a loaded rifle with additional magazines, an improved explosive device, a knife and cans of spray paint, Unified Command said.

Law enforcement said they had also seized commercial-grade fireworks and hammers throughout the night.

Unified Command denied rumors of officials using an unmarked van to grab and arrest people, saying arrestees were being transported in marked police vehicles though some agencies were using unmarked vehicles to transport law enforcement personnel.

How it unfolded

Nearly 1000 people marched from Revolution Hall in Southeast Portland into downtown Portland Wednesday evening.

This was part of multiple demonstrations in the Portland metro region as the results of the 2020 presidential election remain uncertain. The marchers were very diverse and chanted, "This is what community looks like."

Many "Count Every Vote"-themed signs were spotted, and 'Count Every Vote' was projected on a tent set up at Waterfront Park at the Saturday Market location.

Around 5:30 p.m., a group of demonstrators blocked the Morrison Bridge in both directions, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said. They urged motorists to avoid the area.

Two separate groups filled the area, one on either side of Naito Parkway.

"We support your right to freedom of speech, please do not engage in criminal activity. If you engage in criminal activity you will be subject to citation or arrest. You also will be subject to use of force to include crowd control munitions or tear gas," they tweeted. They also told the group to "not damage property" near Skidmore Fountain.

"We’re monitoring two main groups in Downtown Portland. One group left Revolution Hall. We appreciate their efforts in managing their event safely. Another group that started in the North Park Blocks, has been observed smashing windows and vandalizing property," Unified Command tweeted.

Authorities said people in this second group damaged businesses and ATMs along Burnside and SW Harvey Milk Street and threw objects, including glass bottles, at officers. The Portland Business Alliance said the vandalism targeted several small businesses, retailers, restaurants and places of worship. KOIN 6 News saw windows smashed at Wildfang — a woman-owned clothing store that sells pro-feminist merchandise. Windows were also shattered at Saint Andre Bessette Church and restaurant Lovely Rita.

"I find it beyond comprehension that anyone would continue to think that the destruction of our small businesses in downtown Portland is somehow acceptable or represents the exercise of free speech. These destructive acts of political violence, must stop now," said Andrew Hoan, the president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance. "I hope every elected official will react and denounce this reprehensible behavior, just as vehemently as when our beloved Oregon Historical Society was attacked."

The organization urged Portlanders to show their support by shopping at local small businesses. Find out who's open in downtown Portland.

Beginning at 2 p.m near the North Park Blocks in Portland, the Pacific Northwest Community Action Network kicked off their "Week of Action." The group held a rally then began marching around 5 p.m.

"We must become organized and send a clear message that we will not tolerate voter disenfranchisement or election theft, nor will we tolerate a two-party system that serves only the wealthy, and are instead committed to building a truly just and equitable society," the PNCA website states.

At 3 p.m., the Defend Democracy Coalition planned a rally in coordination with J.U.I.C.E. PDX at Revolution Hall, followed by a march set for 4 p.m and a move to the waterfront at 5 p.m.

The Defend Democracy Coalition consists of over 50 community organizations from around the area that all work together for electoral and racial justice.

Out at the Beaverton Library, yet another gathering dubbed the "Protect the Results Rally" began at 5 p.m. This rally's purpose is to demand that every vote be counted in the presidential election and that the results be honored.

There are other "Protect the Results" rallies in the area at the same time, in Hillsboro and Vancouver.

This event is organized by several community groups, including Indivisible, March for Truth, MoveOn, the Sierra Club, and Faith in Public Life. Grassroots activists also have a hand in coordinating.

Tuesday night, demonstrators gathered at Revolution Hall and marched through the streets of Portland in what was termed a "West Coast Solidarity" event.

The crowd was several hundred strong at one point and returned to Revolution Hall around 10 p.m. KOIN 6 News witnessed some graffiti during the march, as well as an argument between demonstrators and two people who were standing outside a home, but police did not interact with the march and thanked the participants for “maintaining a peaceful event.”

Reporter Jennifer Dowling contributed to this story.