Gov. Brown disbands unified Portland security command

PORTLAND — Citing a weekend of mostly peaceful protests and demonstrations, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Sunday rescinded an executive order that put state troopers, sheriff’s deputies and police under a unified command structure in Portland to handle election-related unrest.

Brown’s order had authorized the use of the Oregon National Guard to help local law enforcement if necessary.

“I would like to thank Oregonians for expressing their free speech rights largely through joyful celebrations yesterday,” Brown said in a statement.

After polls closed Nov. 3, protesters in Portland smashed windows at businesses and hurled objects at officers. Police arrested at least 10 people and seized firearms, ammunition, fireworks, body armor and gas masks from people who were arrested.

In Salem, the state’s capital, officers arrested at least four people Saturday for minor assault, unlawful weapons or disorderly conduct charges after small confrontations between dueling demonstrators.

“I am aware that there were some confrontations between opposing groups in Salem yesterday. Whether you voted for the current president or the president-elect, we are all Americans,” Brown said Sunday.

Brown’s order had put law enforcement agencies under the joint command of the Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department.