At least seven people were arrested after clashing with police in Portland where white nationalists and Antifa counter-demonstrators faced off in tense dueling protests on Sunday.
Two police officers were injured in the violence, local media reported.
Authorities in the city were preparing for violence at around noon as anticipation grew for a rally that was staged by Patriot Prayer, a right-wing organization.
At around the same time, police made sure to create a buffer between Patriot Prayer and several hundred counter-protesters belonging to another group which demonstrated under the banner ‘Shut Down White Supremacy’.
There was also a street march organized by the group Portland Stands United Against Hate.
At least seven people were arrested after clashing with police in Portland where white nationalists and Antifa counter-demonstrators faced off in tense dueling protests on Sunday
Police officers detain a counter protesting against right-wing group Patriot Prayer in Portland on Sunday
Authorities in the city were preparing for violence at around noon as anticipation grew for a rally that was staged by Patriot Prayer, a right-wing organization
police made sure to create a buffer between Patriot Prayer and several hundred counter-protesters belonging to another group which demonstrated under the banner ‘Shut Down White Supremacy’
A small group of supporters of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer march in Portland. Patriot Prayer describes itself as an organization devoted to protecting freedom of speech, though it denies it is racist
Counter protesters amass at a fence separating them from a small group of Patriot Prayer supporters in Portland
Counter-demonstrators who came out to denounce Patriot Prayer are seen above running from an advancing police line in Portland
While the rallies were taking place at the same time, they were kept separate by police, though some shouting could be heard between the two sides, according to KGW-TV.
Overall the demonstrations were largely peaceful, though a small number of Antifa protesters began to throw projectiles, including rocks and smoke bombs at police.
The Patriot Prayer protest which had gathered in Portland eventually moved across the river to nearby Vancouver, Washington, according to KOIN-TV.
Police in Vancouver – aided by officers from Portland – also stood in between the Patriot Prayer demonstrators and the counter-protesters who followed them.
Police officers stand in a cloud of smoke from a smoke grenade as people counter protest against right-wing group Patriot Prayer in Portland
A left-wing protester flips the bird and holds a sign denouncing ‘Nazis’ and ‘Fascist losers’ in Portland on Sunday
A police officer tussles with black-clad demonstrators believed to belong to the left-wing activist group Antifa
A woman is seen being detained by police. The demonstrators eventually moved their protests from Portland to neighboring Vancouver, Washington
At least two police officers suffered injuries during the scuffles with Antifa counter-demonstrators
One of the most liberal cities in America, Portland has been the site of numerous political protests that have often turned violent
Police officers are seen on an SUV during the dueling rallies in Portland on Sunday
Police officers hold up a barricade against a crowd of black-clad demonstrators, some of whom are wearing gas masks
Jonathan Zimmerman, a supporter of Patriot Prayer, holds up a peace sign from a secure area as counter-demonstrators look on
David Machado, a resident of nearby Vancouver, Washington, waves an American flag. Machado is a supporter of Patriot Prayer
Police are seen above trying to prevent Antifa demonstrators from approaching members of Patriot Prayer in Portland
A topless woman is seen above holding a flag that reads ‘resist’. She also has ‘resist’ written on her stomach
Portland has been the site of some of the country’s most bitter political demonstrations so far this year
Antifa members are seen above wearing bandanas over their face during a counter-demonstration against Patriot Prayer
Tension in Portland has been high since in late May when a man fatally stabbed two passengers aboard a commuter train after they tried to stop him from harassing two young women who appeared to be Muslim
A week later, 14 people were arrested after riot police turned out in force in downtown Portland where supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump faced off in dueling political rallies
A group of Buddhists meditate during a protest to oppose Patriot Prayer
The counter-protesters marched through the streets of Vancouver, chanting ‘Go home, Nazis.’
When the far-right rally ended, police had the demonstrators leave eight at a time while they shielded them from attack by counter-protesters.
One scary moment took place when a motorist driving a large pickup truck accelerated toward a crowd of demonstrators.
Luckily, no one was hit by the car. Police surrounded the vehicle and arrested the driver, according to witnesses.
The suspect was driving a black Chevy Silverado with Oregon license plates and two large American flags and several small flags hanging from its windows, according to Willamette Week.
Witnesses said the truck was traveling slowly down the road as protesters walked by.
When a number of protesters began to walk behind the truck and throw debris and water bottles, the driver put the truck in reverse and began to accelerate toward the crowd.
People who had been walking on the street jumped out of the way. Police soon arrived at the scene and arrested the driver.
Last month, a woman was killed and 20 others were injured when a suspected neo-Nazi ploughed his car into a group of anti-racist demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Alice Hall, 27, was among those arrested by police in Portland on Sunday
Patriot Prayer is an organization that holds rallies and demonstrations in predominantly liberal enclaves like Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Its founder, Joey Gibson, a Japanese-American, denies accusations that his group is racist.
Patriot Prayer says its goal is to support free speech and the First Amendment, though critics say it seeks to provoke violent responses from Antifa.
Portland has been the site of numerous political protests that have often turned violent.
The predominantly liberal Oregon town was jarred in late May when a man fatally stabbed two passengers aboard a commuter train after they tried to stop him from harassing two young women who appeared to be Muslim.
The alleged assailant, Jeremy Joseph Christian, a resident of the city, was believed to hold racist and extremist beliefs.
A week later, 14 people were arrested after riot police turned out in force in downtown Portland where supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump faced off in dueling political rallies.
Before Sunday’s rallies, Portland’s mayor, Ted Wheeler, warned demonstrators to refrain from violence.
‘Portland Police will focus on ensuring that people’s right for freedom of expression and speech is protected,’ the mayor said.
‘However, illegal behavior is not acceptable. We will not tolerate acts of violence.
‘We will not tolerate vandalism. We will not tolerate criminal behavior.’
The seven people arrested during the Portland rallies have been identified as Tyler W. Bristow, 27; Chad Skjei, 37; Thomas ‘Sarah’ Wallace, 18; Deaclan S. Lenartz, 35; Naomi G. Seraphina, 42; Alice E. Hall, 27; and Eli F. Richey, 37.
All seven have been arrested for either interfering with a police officer or disorderly conduct.
One of them, Wallace, faces a charge of assaulting a police officer.
Two others were arrested in Vancouver. They were identified as Nicholas Partin, 37; and Shawna Gonzalez, 34.