'Solidarity With Portland' Protest In King Of Prussia Saturday

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Protesters will gather in King of Prussia Friday afternoon in an event which they said will show support for those who have been arrested during Portland's demonstrations over racial injustice in recent weeks.

Protests in Portland have gone on daily for nearly two months following the death of George Floyd, leading to unrest in many parts of the city. Activists and local leaders have argued strongly against the presence of the federal government in the city, saying their presence is an attempt to illegally suppress protests. The feds, meanwhile, says they are there to arrest "violent anarchists," not peaceful protesters.

"We stand with the Portland protesters and we stand against this show of force by a government scared of our determination," organizers of the King of Prussia event said. "these protests started in reaction to rampant police brutality and we will not be stopped with MORE brutality."

The group will gather at the intersection of Dekalb Street and Henderson Road from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

"Our protests are about love for all citizens, we will not let this hate distract from our message," organizers added.

In statements released Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security said that "rioters" have fired mortar-style fireworks over the fence of the federal courthouse in Portland. They also said that protesters have used powerful lasers which "can cause permanent blindness" on officers.

Meanwhile, protesters and local officials say federal officers have used excessive and undue force on crowds.

"I saw what it means when the federal government unleashes paramilitary forces against its own people," Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler wrote on Twitter. "It is unconscionable and un-American. We are all committed to change – this must stop so the work can move forward."

The King of Prussia event is being put together by a local organizing group, Montco Activists United.