PORTLAND, OR. (THECOUNT) — Portland police declared a riot Friday night following a demonstration downtown protesting the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse who killed two people in self-defense during a protest last year in Wisconsin.
The protest of about 200 people was declared a riot after protesters started breaking windows, throwing objects at police and talked about burning down the Justice Center, Newsmax reported.
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The protesters gathered following the acquittal of Rittenhouse, 18, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell said shortly after the verdict that officers were working on plans for Friday night and the weekend, KOIN reported.
By about 8:50 p.m. PT, about 200 protesters had gathered in downtown Portland and blocked streets.
By 9 p.m., windows were broken and doors of city facilities were damaged. Police tweeted objects were being thrown at officers in the area., KOIN reported.
The police tweeted:
“A crowd has gathered near SE 2nd Avenue and SE Madison Street and participants have begun breaking windows and damaging doors of city facilities in the area. People are throwing objects at police officers in the area.”
Portland saw ongoing, often violent protests after the murder of George Floyd last year by police in Minneapolis. Some activists complained that the police were heavy-handed in their response.
Small protests were reported in a few other cities across the country as well, the most notable being in Brooklyn, New York.
DEVELOPING::
Geo quick facts: Portland, Oregon’s largest city, sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. It’s known for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses. Iconic Washington Park encompasses sites from the formal Japanese Garden to Oregon Zoo and its railway. The city hosts thriving art, theater and music scenes – wikipedia.