Portland Riot Declared After Violent, Destructive Thugs Protest Rittenhouse Verdict
Portland Police via loudspeaker: A crowd has gathered near SE 2nd Avenue and SE Madison Street and participants have begun breaking windows and damaging doors of city facilities in the area. People are throwing objects at police officers in the area.
To those gathered near the Justice Center: This gathering is a riot. All persons leave the area now. Travel to the west. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to detention, citation and or arrest. You are subject to force to include pepper spray and impact weapons.
A riot was declared after a violent, destructive group began to breach the gate into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC).
On Friday, November 19, 2021 at about 7:00p.m., Portland Police learned that a group had gathered at Southwest Main Street near Southwest 2nd Avenue blocking traffic. A passing driver called and said someone in the group broke his vehicle’s window.
A short time later the group focused its attention on a metal gate securing a ramp leading to the MCDC. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) personnel responded and declared a riot. For more on this, see the MCSO press release:
November 19, demonstrators attending a protest in Downtown Portland focused their attention on one of the vehicle roll-up gates at the Justice Center on SW 2nd Avenue. At the time, a couple dozen people gathered in front of the gate. Some individuals in the crowd were heard saying “burn it down,” referring to the Justice Center.
Individuals were observed tampering with the gate prior to its opening. An estimated 10 to 20 protesters entered and began moving down the ramp in the direction of the jail entrance and the building’s critical infrastructure. Individuals also placed large tree branches to prevent the gate from closing. Deputies met the trespassers on the ramp to prevent entry and began instructing them to exit. The crowd, which was described as hostile, launched urine, alcoholic beverages, water bottles and batteries at deputies during the event. Because a large group of people were engaging in tumultuous and violent conduct, and further entry into the building would have posed significant implications and grave risk of causing public alarm, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) declared a riot. MCSO directed the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) incident command to communicate the riot declaration and force warnings to the demonstrators using the mobile Sound Truck. PPB issued the declarations and force warnings several times.
Even as deputies instructed people to leave, deputies continued to take projectiles and were subjected to hostile behavior. Demonstrators then stood at the garage exit, repeatedly preventing the gate from closing by pushing on it. Again, deputies asked the crowd to step away. Demonstrators ignored the repeated requests and continued blocking the gate. Deputies swiftly moved toward the demonstrators that were preventing the gate from closing to allow space for the gate to close properly. Deputies retreated inside and eventually were able to re-secure the gate. No arrests were made.
We are aware video exists of the event, which we are reviewing. Individuals who would like to share any video or photos with us can contact us by sending an email to IAU@mcso.us.
To assist our law enforcement partners, a Portland Police vehicle equipped with a loudspeaker was used to warn the crowd and give the rioters direction to leave. The messages were also disseminated on the Bureau’s demonstration messaging Twitter page, @ppbalerts.
Vandals broke the windows of the city print shop on Southwest Madison Street between Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest 1st Avenue (photos). A patrol sergeant vehicle’s rear hatch window was shattered (photos) at Southwest 1st Avenue and Southwest Madison Street. Additional vandalism was done to the Justice Center building (photos).
One arrest was made for a warrant. Another person was criminally cited. Officers also stopped vehicles associated with the group. Five citations and 17 warnings were issued.
Investigations into other crimes committed are underway. If anyone has any information, please e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 21-324259.
Meanwhile the Mayor and Commissioner live in the Twilight Zone as protests raged and police struggle for over a year.
Chief Chuck Lovell@ChiefCLovell· Thank you to the members of the City Council for their willingness to provide us with additional resources to address our critical staffing needs in order for PPB to better serve our community and meet their expectations.