Protesters and police clashed in downtown Portland in a riot that lasted into the predawn hours of Thursday, with anarhists in the mob setting a fire and throwing explosives at law enforcement outside a federal courthouse that’s been a target in months of conflict for Oregon’s largest city.
Officers finally fought back and used tear gas to break up the crowd of several hundred people who gathered near the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse, the neighboring Multnomah County Justice Center and a nearby police precinct station.
Riots have broken out nightly in the city since the police killing of George Floyd in May, who died after a white officer pressed a knee to his neck — over 70 days straight of unrest.
Protesters hurled rocks, bottles, and paint at officers during the demonstration that started Wednesday night and went into Thursday morning, Portland police said in a statement.
One officer suffered a hand wound described as serious several other officers suffered non-specified injuries and several people were detained, with one arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a police vehicle, the statement said.
The protests in Portland reached their apex last month outside the federal courthouse, with demonstrators clashing nightly with federal agents dispatched to the city to protect the courthouse.
The demonstrations dwindled after a drawdown of the agents, who were replaced by Oregon state troopers. But protests that turned violent re-emerged over the last week, mostly near a police union headquarters building miles from the federal courthouse.
See videos of the unrest for yourself —
The fence around the courthouse has been heavily reinforced, as you can see here.
As I film this, a small group walks past me and a young woman squeals with glee: "Oh boy, it's just like old times!" pic.twitter.com/6SZh2nQUsB
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 13, 2020
The first fire of the night has been lit inside the justice center courtyard. An LRAD warbles in the distance, but it is completely incomprehensible. pic.twitter.com/LGf8I9G7bK
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) August 13, 2020
Police bull rush protestors pic.twitter.com/boQPG2KIpO
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) August 13, 2020
The Associated Press contributed to this article