Authorities in Portland said that several protesters were arrested in the city after they hurled projectiles and rocks at police officials. The police said that they did not resort to the use of tear gas, and stated that they made "targeted arrests" without revealing a figure.
Portland Police said, "Despite the announcements, the crowd continued to gather on Northeast Emerson Street. Some people in the group threw projectiles such as water bottles and rocks towards officers."
Increasing Protests in Portland
The police said early on Thursday that demonstrators began a march around 11 p.m. local time, adding that officers closed a street and ordered protesters to not enter the area or risk facing arrest.
Demonstrations against racism and police brutality have swept the United States since the death in May of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Portland, in particular, has seen over three months of daily demonstrations calling for policing and social justice reforms. These have at times turned into clashes between demonstrators and officers, as well as between right- and left-wing groups.
Trump's Threat of Funding Cut
One person was shot dead on Saturday as rival groups clashed. The administration of US President Donald Trump deployed federal forces to Portland in July to crack down on the protests.
Trump signed a memo on Wednesday that threatens to cut federal funding to "lawless" cities, including Portland. His opponent in the election, Democrat Joe Biden, said earlier this week it was Trump himself who was helping to stoke the violence.
(With inputs from agencies)
