Fireworks that began Thursday night in downtown Portland, Oregon, had little to do with New Year’s celebrations – and more to do with continuing the unrest that has plagued the city for nearly a year.
Once again, city police have declared a riot because a rally of about 100 people targeted a federal courthouse, reports OXON FOX 12.
“Participants threw several firebombs at officers and launched commercial-quality fireworks at the Federal Courthouse and Justice Center,” the Portland Police Department wrote on Twitter just as the new year dawned early Friday.
PORTLAND MARCHERS VERANDALIZE BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: POLICE
A series of messages contain a warning to those who gather in the streets.
“If you do not leave, you will be arrested, quoted, and / or used force,” police wrote, “including but not limited to impact weapons and tear gas.”
Rioters also smashed windows and set fire to the area, reports Portland’s KOIN TV.
Police began using pepper spray or potato against the crowd, as well as rubber bullets or gingerbread, KOIN reported.
Some videos shown on social media showed police officers advancing against the crowd.
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The unrest took place on Thursday, one day after nearly a dozen businesses and government headquarters were vandalized, KOIN reported.
Most of the riots in Portland have been going on since May 25, when George Floyd was killed while in Minneapolis in police custody. The same event caused numerous other protests and riots across the US