13 arrested, 6 injured at Portland right-wing rally: Police

The mayor said as the city braced for protests that "hate" was unwelcome.

August 18, 2019, 1:29 AM

Thirteen people were arrested and six were injured, as over 1,200 right-wing demonstrators and counterprotesters descended on downtown Portland on Saturday, police said.

Portland Police Lt. Tina Jones said there had been at least 13 arrests, while at least one person had been take to the hospital with injuries. In addition, officers confiscated a number of weapons, including knives, shields and stun guns.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said that he was pleased that police were able to keep the city safe while also helping to "protect the core American value of free speech."

Police said none of the injuries were caused by officers. There was one incident where police deployed pepper balls, authorities said.

PHOTO: Portland police officer Bonczijk stretches before the start of a protest in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.
Portland police officer Bonczijk stretches before the start of a protest in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.
Noah Berger/AP Photo

Ahead of Saturday's rallies, Wheeler issued a video message stating, "if you're planning on coming here on Aug. 17 with the intent to commit violence, we don't want you here."

Jessyca Jones, a counterprotester who was on the streets on Saturday, told ABC News the environment was "tense" and that there had been "lots of fights."

At around 4:30 p.m. local time, and the Portland Police tweeted, "Police are having plastic water bottles thrown at them as they are making an arrest on SW Yamhill and Park." After that, police began advising people to clear the streets or face arrest.

"Police are advising this is now a civil disturbance. Crowd needs to leave the area and go Northbound on Park or any direction eastbound. This means everyone," Portland Police tweeted.

The city has been bracing for several militant right-wing groups to arrive in the city, along with scores of counter-protesters.

Enrique Tarrio, national head of the Proud Boys, who describe themselves as an all-male "western chauvinist" group, and former InfoWars personality Joe Biggs, organized the “End Domestic Terrorism” rally on Saturday that started at 11 a.m. local time. Initially, the crowds moved in slowly, and were met by a heavy police presence, in which local police were bolstered by more than a dozen other law enforcement agencies.

Members of other far-right extremist groups, including the American Guard, the Three Percenters and the Daily Stormers, were also expected to attend in the hopes of declaring militant leftists, or anti-fascists known as "anitfa," a domestic terrorist group.

PHOTO: Alt-right groups hold the End Domestic Terrorism rally at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on August 17, 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
Alt-right groups hold the End Domestic Terrorism rally at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on August 17, 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
Karen Ducey/Getty Images

One right-wing militia group, Oath Keepers, disavowed the rally for fear of being associated with white supremacists.

“We do not believe the organizers are taking the steps necessary to ensure that white nationalist and suspected white nationalist groups and individuals will be excluded," said Stewart Rhodes, the group's founder, in a statement on its website.

Previous rallies featuring right-wing groups and antifa have turned violent in Portland, a city so closely associated with liberal hipsters it inspired the parody show "Portlandia."

Local authorities have beefed up security and have been joined by an array of other law enforcement agencies "on a scale that this city hasn't seen in years," Wheeler said.

Early Saturday, Trump criticized antifa in a tweet, and said Portland is "being watched very closely."

"Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an 'ORGANIZATION OF TERROR,'" the tweet read. "Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!"

Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an “ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.” Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2019

The president did not, however, criticize the right-wing organizers.

It was unclear whether Joey Gibson, the leader of right-wing Patriot Prayer, attended the rally. He and five other men have been arrested this month, on charges stemming from a violent outburst on May 1 at Cider Riot, a bar that is a haven for the city's leftists. Videos of the May Day incident show men associated with the group unleashing pepper spray, fighting and striking people with batons.

PHOTO: A member of the Proud Boys, who declined to give his name, carries a flag before the start of a protest in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.
A member of the Proud Boys, who declined to give his name, carries a flag before the start of a protest in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.
Noah Berger/AP Photo

He turned himself in to authorities and was bailed out on Friday.

ABC News' Christen Hill contributed reporting.

The president did not, however, criticize the right-wing organizers.

It was unclear whether Joey Gibson, the leader of right-wing Patriot Prayer, attended the rally. He and five other men have been arrested this month, on charges stemming from a violent outburst on May 1 at Cider Riot, a bar that is a haven for the city's leftists. Videos of the May Day incident show men associated with the group unleashing pepper spray, fighting and striking people with batons.

He turned himself in to authorities and was bailed out on Friday.

ABC News' Christen Hill contributed reporting.

","publishedDate":"2019-08-18T05:29:00Z","contributors":[{"name":"Soo Youn","url":"https://abcnews.go.com/author/soo_youn","role":"","logo":"","logoAlt":""}],"modifiedDate":"2019-08-18T11:38:09Z","section":"US","wordCount":646,"relatedTags":{"heading":"Related Topics","tags":[]},"lead":{"ratio":"16x9","disableForMobile":false,"type":"xl","mediaType":"video","alignCaptionToBody":true},"ads":{"Sticky":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"RightRail":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"InlineBox":{},"InlineOutstream":{"disabled":false},"Taboola":{"position":"bottom","pageType":"article","config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","container":"taboola-below-article-thumbnails","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"}}},"featuredVideo":{"id":"65036129","type":"video","locator":"https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/activists-counter-protestors-clash-oregon-65036129","shortLocator":"https://abcn.ws/2HdWK0n","issued":"2019-08-17T23:59:44Z","created":"2019-08-17T23:59:44Z","modified":"2019-08-18T00:11:36Z","date":"2019-08-17T23:59:44Z","keywords":["Activists","counter","protestors","Oregon","brazen","smash","grab","robbery","camera","rescued","boat","capsized","man","alive","abc news","world news","Video","65036129"],"section":"WNT","title":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","headline":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","shortHeadline":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","linkHeadline":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","description":"Plus, brazen smash-and-grab robbery caught on camera; also, 3 adults and 2 children were rescued after their boat capsized; and a man is alive after being pinned by his ATV for 3 days.","leadInText":"Plus, brazen smash-and-grab robbery caught on camera; also, 3 adults and 2 children were rescued after their boat capsized; and a man is alive after being pinned by his ATV for 3 days.","duration":89000,"contents":{"image":{"id":"65036931","created":"2019-08-17T23:45:23Z","modified":"2019-08-17T23:59:53Z","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"name":"raw","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"12x5","ratio":"12x5","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_12x5_992.jpg"},{"name":"16x9","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"1x1","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x3","ratio":"4x3","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x5","ratio":"4x5","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_4x5_992.jpg"}],"description":"VIDEO: Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon"},"playlist":[{"id":"65036129","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/08/190817_wn_index_652_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"53250738","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2018/02/180221_vod_orig_splcMIX_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"63806889","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/12/201223_abcnl_headlines_5pm_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"41463246","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://content.uplynk.com/channel/3324f2467c414329b3b0cc5cd987b6be.m3u8?rays=hjigfedcba&ad.flex=15&ad.access_level=0&expand=drmOff&v=3"},"shield":{"16x9":"https://watch.auth.api.espn.com/video/auth/media/86459fc7-f7f8-4803-9f03-cf7a05eab9b5/asset"}}}]},"streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/08/190817_wn_index_652_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}},"transcript":{"webVtt":"https://abcnews.go.com/video/caption?id=65036129"},"alertTag":"","sectionRoot":"WNT","adFlag":true,"noAds":true,"isAmbient":false,"sponsored":false,"hideDate":false,"hideReportTypo":false},"featuredImage":null,"dateline":"","seo":{"JSONLD":{"videoObject":{"name":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","description":"Plus, brazen smash-and-grab robbery caught on camera; also, 3 adults and 2 children were rescued after their boat capsized; and a man is alive after being pinned by his ATV for 3 days.","uploadDate":"2019-08-17T23:59:44Z","thumbnailUrl":["https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg?w=384","https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg?w=384","https://s.abcnews.com/images/WNT/190817_wn_index_652_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg?w=384"],"url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/08/190817_wn_index_652_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/08/190817_wn_index_652_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","publisher":{"name":"ABC News","logo":{"url":"","@type":"ImageObject"},"@type":"Organization"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","id":"https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/activists-counter-protestors-clash-oregon-65036129"},"duration":"PT1M29S"}}},"LivePromotion":{}},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]}},"upw":{"balanceOfPower":{"electoral":{"header":"Biden Projected to be President-Elect","candidates":{"democrats":{"id":1036,"displayName":"Joe Biden","shortDisplayName":"J. Biden","firstName":"Joe","lastName":"Biden","party":"democrats","major":true,"incumbent":false,"winner":true,"votes":306},"republicans":{"id":8639,"displayName":"Donald Trump","shortDisplayName":"D. Trump","firstName":"Donald","lastName":"Trump","party":"republicans","major":true,"incumbent":true,"winner":false,"votes":232},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"electoral","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{},"total":306,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"81,283,098","value":81283098}},"republicans":{"available":{},"total":232,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"74,222,958","value":74222958}},"other":{"available":{},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":538},"needed":{"displayText":"270 to win","displayValue":"270","value":270},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"reporting":"99% of Expected Vote Reporting"},"senate":{"header":"Senate Seat Results","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":46,"winner":false},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":50,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":2}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"senate","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"12 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"12 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"12","value":12},"total":46,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 1 seat","displayValue":"1","value":1},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"23 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"23 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"23","value":23},"total":50,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 1 seat","displayValue":"-1","value":-1},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"0 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"0 Others up for election","displayValue":"0","value":0},"total":2,"popular":{}},"total":100},"needed":{"displayText":"51 for control","displayValue":"51","value":51},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:05.390Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:05PM ET"}},"house":{"header":"House Results: Dems Retain Control","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":222,"winner":true},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":210,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"house","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"233 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"233 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"233","value":233},"total":222,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 10 seats","displayValue":"-10","value":-10},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"201 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"201 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"201","value":201},"total":210,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 10 seats","displayValue":"10","value":10},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"1 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"1 Others up for election","displayValue":"1","value":1},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":435},"needed":{"displayText":"218 for control","displayValue":"218","value":218},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:02.900Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:02PM ET"}},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]},"electionsConfig":{}},"types":["electoral","senate","house"]}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewabcnews,wdgasec,wdgnewabcnweb,wdgnewabcnewsrollup","ns":"abcnews","pageName":"abcn:us:story","pageType":"story","pageUrl":"abcnews.go.com/US/portland-braces-wing-rally-counterprotesters/story?id=65031548","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"abcn:site","tagID":"apage_news01","userABCookie":"0","alertTag":"none","authors":"Soo Youn","authorsBureau":"none","authorsUnit":"none","dateline":"none","id":"65031548","modDate":"2019-08-18","mediaOnPage":"video","modTime":"07:38","provider":"ABC News","pubDate":"2019-08-18","pubTime":"01:29","section":"US","subBrand":"none","title":"13 arrested, 6 injured at Portland right-wing rally: Police","videoId":"65036129","videoName":"Far-right activists and counter-protestors clash in Oregon","wordCount":646},"taboola":{"config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":null,"pageTypeOverrides":{"story":{"mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"},"home":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","container":"taboola-homepage-thumbnails","type":"home","targetType":"mix","placement":"Homepage Thumbnails"},"section":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","type":"category","targetType":"mix","placement":"Section Front Thumbnails"},"liveBlog":{"mode":"thumbnails-d","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":"Blog"}}}}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/US/portland-braces-wing-rally-counterprotesters/story?id=65031548","vary":{"host":"abcnews.go.com","cached":true,"path":"/US/portland-braces-wing-rally-counterprotesters/story","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","country":"us","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};