Six people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, on Nov. 17, as conservative Patriot Prayer rallygoers and counter-demonstrators clashed.
“Officers observed sticks, glass bottles, lit road flares, bottles filled with a substance believed to be urine, and gopher gas used as projectiles,” police said in the statement.
In the vicinity, Patriot Prayer member Haley Adams had organized a Him Too rally, in apparent reference and contrast to the #MeToo movement. The Him Too event drew about 40 participants.
Adams said the gathering was to support men falsely accused of sexual assault, according to The Oregonian. Some guest speakers also reportedly made speeches that invoked the notion of freedom and a “war on men.”
Police said their objective was to keep the known animosity between conservative Patriot Prayer demonstrators and counter-protesters from descending into violence.
“The Portland Police Bureau spent considerable time planning for today’s demonstration and counter demonstration,” said Chief Danielle Outlaw. “We used significant resources and attempted to keep opposing groups apart, both when they were in the parks and as they traveled through downtown. Our goal was to keep all people in the community safe.”
Authorities had closed a section of Chapman Square in order to provide “a cushion between the two groups so differing opinions could be voiced, with the potential for violence reduced.”
But once the Patriot Prayer rally ended, unidentified suspects began throwing bottles and flares, according to The Oregonian, and fights broke out.
Police officers in riot gear separated the Patriot Prayer members and black-clad counter-demonstrators.
Scuffles continued as Patriot Prayer members headed toward their vehicles, with police announcing a “civil disturbance” and urging demonstrators to leave the downtown area.
The Oregonian reporter Eder Campuzano tweeted from the scene: “It’s a bit of a cat and mouse game at this point. Patriot Prayer members are holed up in the parking garage at 4th and Taylor. Counter-demonstrators are outside on 4th waiting.”
Officers continued to separate Patriot Prayer group members from black-clad counter-demonstrators.
“Police have begun blocking stairwells up the parking structure,” Campuzano wrote, “arguing with counterdemonstrators and some independent media who try to go up.”
Several dozen counter-protesters at one point tried to confront rally organizer Adams, Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson, and Tusitala “Tiny” Toese.
A purple-haired counter-protester later identified as Hannah McClintock, arrested on charges of harassment, can be seen in the video visibly upset.
The six people arrested are:
Ruben A. Delahuerga, 25, on a charge of interfering with a peace officer.
Betsy Toll, 68, on a charge of interfering with a peace officer.
Elizabeth L Cheek, 33, on a charge of interfering with a peace officer.
Brittany N. Frost, 35, on a charge of interfering with a peace officer.
Gary Fresquez, 52, on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct in the second degree and two counts of interfering with a peace officer.
Hannah R McClintock, 19, on a charge of harassment.
Investigators said they would be conducting follow-ups that may lead to further arrests.
