13 arrested, 6 injured in Portland far-right, antifa protests
Over a dozen people have been arrested during rival rallies by white supremacists and anti-fascists, known as antifa, in the US city of Portland, Oregon.
Authorities arrested at least 13 people on Saturday as more than 1,200 right-wing demonstrators and counterprotesters took to the streets in the city.
Six people were also injured, police said, noting that at one point officers deployed pepper balls.
"Police are having plastic water bottles thrown at them as they are making an arrest on SW Yamhill and Park," the Portland Police tweeted at around 4:30 p.m. local time.
Police are advising this is now a civil disturbance. Crowd needs to leave the area and go Northbound on Park or any direction eastbound. This means everyone. #ppbalert
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 17, 2019
In addition, a police department spokeswoman said in a video released on social media that several weapons -- including metal poles, shields, and bear spray -- had been confiscated, but did not elaborate on the number of seized items or any arrests.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump again warned of labeling the antifa group as a terrorist organization after saying he was watching “very closely” rival protest rallies in Portland.
Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an “ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.” Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2019
Trump previously made the threat late last month after a conservative journalist for Quillette said he was attacked amid protests in Portland in June.
"Consideration is being given to declaring ANTIFA, the gutless Radical Left Wack Jobs who go around hitting (only non-fighters) people over the heads with baseball bats, a major Organization of Terror (along with MS-13 & others). Would make it easier for police to do their job!" the president wrote in a Twitter post last month.
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