Portland Police Targeted As Counter-Protesters Clash With Pro-Trump Rally
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PORTLAND (CBSMiami) -- Supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump faced off in simultaneous rallies in Portland, Oregon that included violent attacks on officers and people.
A protest called 'Trump Free Speech' by organizers was held at a federal plaza downtown on Sunday. Counter-protesters, who call themselves anti-fascist, gathered just across the street at city hall. They viewed the protest as an event promoting racism.
Tensions escalated and Portland Police were targeted, tweeting out, "Balloons with unknown, foul-smelling liquid have been thrown from Chapman Square at officers and people in Terry Schrunk Plaza."
Glass bottle, balloons, bricks, thrown at police in Chapman Square. Less-lethal chemical munitions have been deployed.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 4, 2017
Several were arrested at the rallies.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump responded to the terror attacks in London a night earlier and called for a renewal of restrictions entering the U.S.
"We need to be smart, vigilant and tough," he tweeted out. "We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!"
Last week, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler unsuccessfully tried to postpone Sunday's Pro-Trump rally, saying "Hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment" and citing tensions after a deadly train stabbing.
Although not a direct response, it's clear the president disagrees.