After months of violent Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, Oregon, hardline right-wing groups like the Proud Boys and other Donald Trump supporters showed up to support police, and things descended into chaos.
Proud Boys members gathered around the Justice Center in downtown Portland around noon on Saturday, some carrying rifles and others sporting shields that referenced conspiracy theories stemming from the controversial online group QAnon.
Another mass brawl breaks out in downtown Portland. Proud Boys and other right-wing groups rush in and fight #antifa, who are pushed back. Bats, sticks and pepper spray are used in the brutal melee. #PortlandRiotspic.twitter.com/2BgrE2YmOT
Trump supporters arrive at justice pic.twitter.com/7BAXsoZ4oW
Downtown Portland for protest clash. Patriot trump supporters are lined up with shields and armor, black lives matter protests are yelling and chanting back. Their black lives matter chants drowns out the streets. pic.twitter.com/7ovHxQPh7M
And a QAnon slogan on the shield of a right-winger looking for a fight in Portland. https://t.co/gwF1t1ffvZ
Other banners included statements in support of the president’s reelection campaign and against “Marxism.”
After additional comrades arrive, #antifa move in for a preemptive strike against the right-wingers. Another pepper spray and shield bashing fight occurs. #PortlandRiotspic.twitter.com/eXclfpdkmk
Antifa counterprotesters showed up shortly after and it did not take long for the two sides to move from screaming matches to physical violence in the street, with video showing paintballs, smoke canisters, and pepper spray being exchanged by the two clashing sides.
Huge fight has just broken out between Proud boys and ANTIFA in front of Justice Center in Portland pic.twitter.com/zleU0lhOIp
ANTIFA brought silly string and water guns. Proud boys brought mace and pepper balls pic.twitter.com/Vmzwlo8Fsa
Fighting in the streets pic.twitter.com/8EnuhN5V4q
‘House of Cards’ creator and playwright Beau Willimon reported being on the side of the left-wing protesters and documented his experience through his Twitter account, which included getting hit with a paintball at one point. He reported the right-wing protesters were using bear spray and several people required medical attention from volunteers.
Mace used by the right-wing side as more scuffles break out. pic.twitter.com/ge6K60ok1D
Right wing protestors shooting paint balls into the BLM crowd. I just got hit in the leg. pic.twitter.com/R5b96w4yv5
Conservative author Michelle Malkin praised the Proud Boys and “patriots” for “fighting back” against Antifa protesters.
Antifa mobs must be met w/FORCE. Thank you, Proud Boys & patriots, for fighting back on the streets. Eff you @tedcruz, #ConInc, @YAF & establishment Right who’ve smeared REAL culture warriors & those of us who’ve supported them. (At :28 you see OUR defenders push back the thugs.) https://t.co/PybpYNsedc
Black Lives Matter protests have been ongoing in the city of Portland, with police repeatedly having to declare gatherings riots as demonstrators have clashed with officers, vandalized law enforcement buildings, and begun to move their efforts into residential neighborhoods.
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