Portland, Oregon — Portland police said three people have been arrested so far in far-right and counter-protester demonstrations in Portland on Saturday. The large crowds began to disperse by early Saturday afternoon, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reports.
There were heated exchanges between the two groups but the protests had not turned violent as of the early afternoon. Police warned the media to stop posting locations of various groups because they believed protesters were using the information to target opposing groups.
Antifa members used familiar chants — “Go home, Nazis!”, “No Trump, No KKK, no Fascist USA” — as the right-wing groups, led by the Proud Boys, marched along the waterfront and through the downtown streets, KOIN reports.
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Nearly 1,000 officers are present at the city’s Waterfront Park, where protests started around 9:30 a.m. Saturday. More people arrived at the park around 11 a.m., but far-left protesters far outnumbered members of far-right groups.
CBS News is reporting from the neutral territory in the park. In total, there are nearly 200 protesters in the park and at least a thousand police officers working to keep the peace. Both groups of protesters are currently divided.
Police seized multiple weapons from several groups, including shields and wooden poles.
The far-right event Saturday was organized by the “Proud Boys,” a group the Southern Poverty Law Center designated as a hate group.
In recent years, Portland has become a magnet for protests, some of them turning ugly. A riot in 2017 shattered store windows throughout downtown, leading to 25 arrests.
President Trump on Saturday said there was “major consideration” to name “Antifa” an “organization of terror.” Antifa is a collective name for anti-fascist protesters. “Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!” Mr. Trump tweeted.
Jonathan Vigliotti contributed to this report.
