Portland Protests Latest: Armed Police Keep Groups Separated (Live Blog)

Update 1:45 p.m. (PST)

Police are blocking crosswalks to the immediate corners of Shrunk Plaza. It looks like they're keeping each group in its corner. There hasn't been any violence that I've seen. More masked antifa are showing up, and small arguments break out now and then, but nothing has escalated. The masked antifa probably number in the hundreds.

Portland Police just announced that Patriot Prayer must remain in Shrunk Plaza, and Portland Peace must remain in Chapman, and that any attempt to break ranks will be met with swift action. So they've effectively blocked off each group from each other.

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Update 1:15 p.m. (PST)

DHS is now closing the west sidewalk. Shrunk Plaza has been entirely cordoned off. Portland Police have breached the two lanes of the roadway due to increasingly growing numbers of attendees.

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Update 12:58 p.m. (PST)

A labor group has gathered about 100 strong on the east side of third avenue. With antifa to the north and Portland peacekeepers to the west, Trump supporters are practically surrounded. DHS continues to cordon off the whole block with yellow tape.

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Update 12:07 p.m. (PST)

One person has been arrested, according to our reporter on the scene.

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Update 12 p.m. (PST)

As of 12 p.m., Patch Reporter Travis Loose tells us that SW Madison Street is like a line in the sand, with either group on opposite sides shouting, chanting, and threatening one another. The Department of Homeland Security is gathered, and SWAT teams are on the way. It looks like everyone is getting started early. There are at least 200 people here, and more are coming every minute.

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There are expected to be hundreds of people - if not thousands - on the streets of Portland Sunday afternoon. There will be at least two demonstrations, if not more, representing different political points of view. And, in the middle will be Portland Police officers and representatives of other law enforcement agencies trying to keep the peace. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for Portland Patch.)

It's a situation that is expected to be more tense than usual as it comes on the wake of a hate crime double murder that took place Memorial Day Weekend. Mayor Wheeler had asked organizers of the "Trump Free Speech Rally," which gets underway at 2 p.m. at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 364 SW Madison Street, to cancel or postpone the rally.

He also asked the federal government, which controls the plaza, to rescind the permit. Both requests were denied.

While organizers say that their rally will be peaceful, law enforcement officials are concerned about what will happen when counter-protesters - who did not get permits - start massing on the perimeter of the rally.

Another factor is that the "free speech" people rallying may have their own armed security on the perimeter.

Portland Police say that they are aware of plans for counter-protests involving different groups expected across Southwest 4th Avenue at City Hall, and across Southwest Madison Street at Chapman Square.

Police officials say that while there are no specific indicators that the events will disrupt traffic or transit flow, the Bureau encourages road users to be aware of the potential and to plan for alternate routes.

The City of Portland has not issued any permits for a street march and expects that any participants planning to hold a march to follow all laws and remain on sidewalks.

Police spokesman Sgt. Peter Simpson says that there will be a "robust law enforcement presence due to online threats of violence between different groups."

Due to these threats and the potential for violence, persons attending any of the events are discouraged from bringing any weapons (firearms, knives, etc.) or items that can be used as weapons (sticks, bats, poles, rocks, fireworks/incendiary devices, etc.) to any of the events.

Prohibited items may be seized by police and, if in violation of city, state or federal law, the possessor may be arrested and charged criminally.

The law enforcement and public safety partners include, but are not limited to the following agencies:

• Portland Police Bureau
• Oregon State Police
• Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
• Federal Protective Service
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• United States Attorney's Office
• Multnomah County District Attorney's Office
• Portland Fire & Rescue

"The Federal Protective Service stands with it partners within the Portland community to ensure the peaceful exercise of individual freedoms of demonstration and speech, while preserving and protecting the safety of all individuals on federal property," said Robert Sperling, Director of Communications and Engagement for the Federal Protective Service.

This story will be updated as the day progresses.

Additional reporting by Travis Loose

Photos, video Travis Loose/ Patch