PORTLAND — Portland police said a demonstration protesting the police killing of a Black man in Minnesota turned into a riot Monday night, with some in the crowd throwing rocks and other projectiles at officers.
At least 200 people gathered around 8:30 p.m. at the Penumbra Kelly Building, which houses an office for the Multnomah County Sheriff, Portland police and other city offices, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement. Some in the crowd broke windows, tore down exterior light fixtures and threw bottles, rocks and fireworks at officers, prompting police to move in, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive and the police statement.
Police said they issued verbal warnings to the crowd but around 10:30 p.m. police declared the gathering as a riot and bull rushed protestors, knocking them to the ground and macing them, news outlets reported.
After officers pushed the crowd back, police said they “purposely disengaged” from the crowd “to allow people to begin acting lawfully and peacefully.”
