Riot Declared in Portland During Another Night of Unrest in City

Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a riot as crowds refused to disperse and projectiles were allegedly thrown at officers during another night of protests in the city.

Police had repeatedly warned hundreds of demonstrators to vacate the area after they had gathered at the 1800 block of North Lombard Street near the Portland Police Association building on Monday night.

In a series of tweets, the department said that at least two arrests had been made and others will be subjected to arrest or force f they do not vacate the area and stop blocking traffic.

The department added that others "interfered and struggled with police" while they attempted to free the second person being detained.

Police later detailed instances of objects being thrown from the crowd, including one that hit a construction worker. The department warned that continued acts of disobedience may result in "use of force including but not limited to riot control agents or impact munitions."

After further disorder, including someone attempting to light a mattress on fire and several other arrests, police declared a riot was taking place in Lombard and urged everyone to "disperse immediately and leave to the East."

"A tear gas warning has been given. Leave the area of Lombard and Campbell immediately," the force tweeted.

Video on social media appears to show officers in riot gear firing munitions into a crowd of protesters while an officer urges them to disperse immediately through a megaphone in the early hours of Tuesday after the riot had been declared.

Portland Police also tweeted images showing items which had been allegedly thrown at officers during the disorder, including paint, ball bearings, and glass bottles.

A suspect was arrested on suspicion of shooting a Portland Fire and Rescue medic with a ball-bearing fired from a slingshot in the area of Southwest 1st and Main at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

After he was detained, the suspect, Jesse Herman Bates, 37, was found to be in possession of a crowbar, a switchblade knife, gas mask, flares, umbrellas, gas mask, spray paint, items believed to be pyrotechnics, glass slingshot ammunition and two slingshots.

He is believed to have attended the demonstration earlier that night.

Bates was arrested on suspicion of assault, assaulting a public safety officer, interfering with a police officer, carrying a concealed weapon, and disorderly conduct.

The total number of people arrested during the disorder was not immediately available.

There have been almost continuous nights of protests and disorder in Portland in the wake of the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd in late May.