Portland Protesters Torch Bibles, American Flags Outside Federal Courthouse
Another night of chaos plagues city
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Left-wing thugs took to the streets of Portland on Friday burning bibles, setting fires, torching Americans flags, and tearing protective boarding off of buildings.
The so-called protesters, who have been frequently referred to as 'peaceful' by the mainstream media, engaged in yet another night of chaos in the city.
The riots subsided slightly on Thursday night as “federal and state officers located inside the courthouse were not forced to leave the building during the course of the night,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
WATCH:
Left-wing activists bring a stack of Bibles to burn in front of the federal courthouse in Portland. pic.twitter.com/lYWY0x8n8P
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 1, 2020
Journalists on the ground reported the rioters were attempting to provoke a response from the federal agents inside the building.
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Rioters also dumped garbage in front of one exit, according to one journalist.
“CBP clears the hazard and agitators begin to provoke a response from federal officers,” he wrote.
“Agitators trying to provoke a response from federal officers,” the journalist added.
More flag burning at the antifa/ BLM gathering in downtown Portland. Video by @FromKalen. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/okngG7eRYK
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 1, 2020
“Violently battering the door with kicks and using their shield as a battering ram.”
WATCH:
Agitator’s continue to dump garbage in front of the JC Salmon exit. CBP clears the hazard and agitators begin to provoke a response from federal officers. pic.twitter.com/dg6vymXvbU
— Kalen From Scriberr (@FromKalen) August 1, 2020
President Donald Trump later announced:
“Homeland Security is not leaving Portland until local police complete cleanup of Anarchists and Agitators!”
Homeland Security is not leaving Portland until local police complete cleanup of Anarchists and Agitators!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2020
Conservative journalist, Andy Ngo, posted videos showing fires being set in the street and rioters ripping protective boarding off of buildings.
“Rioters at gathering in Portland are tearing off barricades of an arcade nearby federal courthouse. Portland Police are aware but will let them continue because they’re given directive to leave rioters alone in most circumstances,” Ngo reported.
“Black bloc militants in downtown Portland are trying to break into a business near the federal courthouse at the peaceful protest. They’re prying off the wood that is covering glass window.”
WATCH:
Rioters started a large fire in downtown Portland at the peaceful protest. Video by Alissa Sarkis Azar. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/qy3N0K3aWd
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 1, 2020
Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf later announced the government had devised a plan to work with local law enforcement officials to quell the violence.
“That plan includes a robust presence of Oregon State Police in downtown Portland,” Wolf said in a statement.
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“State and local law enforcement will begin securing properties and streets, especially those surrounding federal properties, that have been under nightly attack for the past two months."
"Oregon State Police will coordinate with Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers to ensure all federal facilities remain protected and secure. ”
“This plan is possible due to the valiant efforts of the DHS law enforcement officers protecting federal property in Portland from violent activity for the past two months,” Wolf continued.
“The Department will continue to maintain our current, augmented federal law enforcement personnel in Portland until we are assured that the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and other federal properties will no longer be attacked and that the seat of justice in Portland will remain secure. This has been our mission and objective since the violent, criminal activity began.”
The news comes just days after Black conservative supporter of President Donald Trump, Andrew Duncomb, was stabbed during a Portland protest after his name was leaked to leftist demonstrators.
