Portland's Protests Turn Violent Sunday; 7 People Arrested

PORTLAND, OR — Seven people were arrested and two officers were reportedly injured during a protest/rally/march in Portland and Vancouver Sunday.

Portland United Against Hate, Patriot Prayer, and a contingency of disorganized counter-protesters (some antifascist) met at Terry Schrunk Plaza, Waterfront Park, and throughout a section of downtown's streets Sept. 10. Before the rallies even began, police say many makeshift weapons were confiscated from people arriving to the area.

Portland United had a permit to march around Terry Schrunk Plaza, which they did peacefully, according to police. The gathering at Waterfront Park was less peaceful, however, as the two opposing groups clashed with each other, police, and anyone else standing in the area early in the afternoon.

According to police, the escalation in violence began with people at Waterfront Park throwing rocks, smoke and glitter bombs, silly string, and other projectiles.

After police began telling peaceful protesters to leave the area, part of the Portland United group marched to Vancouver, Washington, where they chanted back and forth with Patriot Prayer, which had gathered at the Port of Vancouver Amphitheater.

The heavily policed merging of the Patriot Prayer and Portland United rallies was mostly peaceful, aside from the shouting, police said.

Those arrested in Portland are:

• Tyler W. Bristow, 27, was arrested near Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Taylor street. He is charged with interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest.
• Chad Skjei, 37, was arrested near Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. He is charged with interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct, and attempted theft.
• Thomas "Sarah" Wallace, 18, was arrested near Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. She is charged with assault on a police officer (two counts) and harassment.
• Deaclan S. Lenartz, 35, was arrested near SouthwestThird Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. He is charged with interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.
• Naomi G. Seraphina, 42, was arrested near Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. She is charged with interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.
• Alice E. Hall, 27, was arrested near Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. She is charged with interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.
• Eli F. Richey, 37, was arrested near Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street. He is charged with interfering with a police officer.

Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images, from June 4 protests in Portland