Anarchist Rioters Shatter Windows in Portland Following Once-Peaceful Protest, 26 Arrested

A once-peaceful protest in Portland turned violent Thursday evening as anarchists burned flags, broke store windows and damaged cars.

Officers arrested at least 26 people, according to Portland Police. No law enforcement officers were hurt in what officials labeled as a riot.

The third day of the protests against President-elect Donald Trump started around 5 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square. About 4,000 people marched over the Hawthorne Bridge, then through the Lloyd Center. At that point, the protest appeared to break apart when some people began using bats to bash in cars at a Honda dealership.

The largely peaceful protest continued west over the Broadway Bridge at around 9 p.m. and into the Pearl District with dozens of people who are describing themselves as anarchists and radicals. They broke windows of several businesses and restaurants, and bashed in a transformer in an effort to cut electricity.

Police in riot gear responded to the North Park Blocks area, where an apparent showdown occurred between rioters and officers. Portland Police officials went on a loudspeaker and told the peaceful members of the group to disperse or head back to Pioneer Square.

According to police, people threw projectiles at officers. At least three were taken into custody.

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After those arrests, about 1,500 protesters moved to Pioneer Courthouse Square just before 11 p.m. While they appeared peaceful, Portland Police say objects were thrown at police. Officers in riot gear worked to disperse the crowd, calling it an unlawful gathering.

Police used flash-bangs and gas canisters on those that remained in the street, and their numbers started to decrease. At one point, police swept a parking garage where someone had been throwing objects down at officers.

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Earlier in the evening, a driver on the Hawthorne Bridge earlier in the evening apparently threw laundry detergent at some of the protesters, who then took her keys and threw them over the overpass. Her car is abandoned on the bridge.

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