Ten Arrested After Mayor-Ordered Clearing of City Hall Leads to Protests

Protests erupted on the streets of downtown Portland Wednesday afternoon after Mayor Charlie Hales ordered city hall cleared. There were arrests after police reported that people had thrown plastic water bottles at officers.

Protesters, some of whom were pepper-sprayed, stopped traffic and prevented the MAX train from operating - a move that set off a series of confrontations with commuters.

Ten people were arrested.

The protests were originally in response to city council plans to approve a new contract with the union representing Portland police officers. Activists wanted the city to wait until Ted Wheeler becomes mayor in January. City officials have said the new contract is urgently needed to solve a staffing crisis in the police bureau.

While protesters interrupted the city council meeting Wednesday morning, Mayor Hales ordered it moved to a third floor conference room and the public banned.

There, in solitude, the council approved the contract.

A bit later, Hales ordered city hall cleared of protesters who had remained, which set off confrontations.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, the following people were arrested:

23-year-old Jonny Samuel Perez. Booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Interfering with an Emergency Response. Booking photo attached.

51-year-old Robert Lee West. Booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Coercion, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree. Booking photo attached.

38-year-old Sarabeth Rachel Long. Booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Coercion, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree. Booking photo attached.

44-year-old David Kif Davis. Criminally cited and released for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Interfering with a Public Safety Officer.

20-year-old Hallie D. Bernhoft. Criminally cited and released for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

43-year-old Carlton Smith. Criminally cited and released for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

21-year-old Henrick De-Savy. Criminally cited and released for Resist Arrest, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Interfering with a Public Safety Officer.

27-year-old James Mattox. Criminally cited and released for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Interfering with a Public Safety Officer.

24-year-old Frank A. Martinez Jr. Criminally cited and released for Resist Arrest, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Interfering with a Public Safety Officer.

32-year-old Benjamin J. Kerensa. Criminally cited and released for Theft in the Second Degree.