Right-Wing Groups and Antifa Clash in Portland, at Least 13 Arrested

Portland police fire pepper spray rounds into a crowd of protesters during a rally in Portland, Oregon on Aug. 17, 2019. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

At least 13 arrests have been made in the most recent confrontation with Antifa in Portland, Oregon, the Portland police confirmed on Aug. 17.

Right-wing groups from across the country had converged on Portland to protest Antifa and bring attention to its terrorist-like activities.

Antifa is a far-left group whose members have made Portland a stronghold and often engage in protests that eventually turn violent. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter today that major “consideration is being given to naming Antifa an ‘organization of terror.’”

The Portland Police said they are trying to keep two large groups away from each other—presumably Antifa and the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys describe themselves as “Western chauvinists who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world,” according to their website.

Videos have surfaced on Twitter of what appear to be members of the far-left group and other right-wing groups fighting and berating each other. A group of people can be seen attacking their rivals in a video uploaded by Elijah Schaffer S.O.

Warning: These videos contain violence and explicit language.

In a video uploaded by The Post Millennial, police are seen arresting a man who was believed to have been carrying a gun.

Another man who was insulting reporters and protestors is seen being arrested. People tried to calm him down in the video.

The Portland Police are periodically updating their Twitter page concerning the demonstration.

Portland Mayor Urged People Not to Come

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and city officials held a public relations event on Wednesday urging people not to show up over the weekend but a speaker there said there was no equivalency between Antifa and the groups its members oppose and urged police not to deploy large numbers on Saturday.

Wheeler later told Fox News that there will be a large police response. The message to protesters was: “We don’t want your hatred, we don’t want your violence, but if you come here, we’re going to be prepared.”

Wheeler has consistently condemned conservative groups but avoided mentioning Antifa by name. He struggled to say why police haven’t’ made any arrests from the assaults Antifa committed last month when a host asked “What message does that send?”

Ted Wheeler, the mayor of Portland, Oregon, was overheard saying that he “can’t wait for the next 24 months to be over,” suggesting he may not seek re-election. Ted Wheeler / Twitter

“With all due respect I disagree,” Wheeler responded. “We don’t tolerate any act of violence—not that act of violence or any other. And the police are investigating and they are following up on leads.”

“They have photographs of some of the individuals that they believe were the perpetrators. I know that the intelligence unit continues to follow-up on those leads and I’m confident that there will be arrests in that particular case. This isn’t about anybody’s politics,” he said. “If they’re breaking the law, we’re going to enforce it. We’re going to hold people accountable.”

Portland’s Struggle

The city has long struggled with public displays of violence and mayhem, including leftwing protesters last year shutting down city streets and hitting the vehicles of those who refused to comply as police officers stood by watching. The police department said it feared intervention would “change the demeanor of the crowd for the worse.”

The Rose City Antifa prepare to march in opposition to members of HimToo and Proud Boys on June 29, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Several groups from the left and right clashed after competing demonstrations at Pioneer Square, Chapman Square, and Waterfront Park spilled into the streets. According to police, medics treated eight people and three people were arrested during the demonstrations. Moriah Ratner/Getty Images

The city has also failed to take action on an anti-mask law proposed by Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw after the assault of Ngo and the other men. Antifa members like to obscure their faces to try to avoid arrest and prosecution.

Wheeler, a Democrat who was elected in 2016 and also serves as police commissioner, was reportedly heard saying in November 2018 that he “can’t wait” to leave office but he’s since said he will run for election.

Zackary Stieber contributed to this article.