Portland Protests Hit With 'Concrete Milkshakes'

Police bust 3 in competing demonstrations between antifa and Proud Boys
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 30, 2019 6:36 AM CDT
Antifa-Proud Boys Protests See 'Concrete Milkshakes'
After a confrontation between authorities and protestors, police use pepper spray as multiple groups, including Rose City Antifa, the Proud Boys and others protest in downtown Portland, Ore., on Saturday, June 29, 2019.   (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP)

Competing demonstrations spilled into the streets of downtown Portland on Saturday, reports the AP, with fights breaking out as marchers clashed. At least three groups had rallies or demonstrations at different sites in the city, including members of the so-called Proud Boys and anti-fascist groups that include "antifa," and the fights occurred when the opposing groups met, reports the Oregonian. In a statement Saturday night, the Portland Police Bureau said three people were arrested on assault and harassment charges. Police said medics treated eight people, including three police officers. Three people were taken to hospitals after they were attacked. Andy Ngo, an editor at the conservative website Quillette and says he is "hated by antifa," tweeted that he was attacked by anti-fascist protesters and had to be taken to the hospital.

Protesters also clashed with police, throwing water bottles, eggs, and milkshakes; the latter contained "a substance similar to quick-drying cement," police said, per the Oregonian. Later in the day, police declared the situation to be a civil disturbance and warned participants faced arrest. The Portland Police Bureau on Twitter asked for the public's help in investigating violent assaults. "Demonstration events are very fluid in nature and the management of these events is complex," Assistant Chief Chris Davis said in a statement. "There are hundreds of peaceful free speech events in the City in a given year that do not result in violence. Unfortunately, today some community members and officers were injured. We are actively investigating these incidents to hold those responsible accountable." (More antifa stories.)

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