Protesters were hurling incendiary devices at police officers and into buildings which started numerous fires. They also destroyed a police car, shattered windows and damaged property. Ultimately, 25 people were arrested according to Portland police.
On Monday May 1, 2017, 25 people were arrested after a permitted May Day rally and march devolved into a riot after dozens of suspects committed numerous criminal acts including disorderly conduct, riot, arson, criminal mischief (vandalism), theft, and assault.
Prior to the permitted march beginning, officers took possession of numerous sticks, poles, and homemade shields from participants arriving at Shemanski Park in Southwest Portland.
Early in the march, which was scheduled to travel through Downtown Portland and return to Shemanksi Park, rocks and projectiles were being launched at police officers and paramedics, including a full Pepsi can that struck a Portland Fire & Rescue paramedic assigned to assist the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team (RRT).
Shortly after that, the situation devolved into a full-scale riot with random acts of vandalism to Downtown businesses, cars, and public and private property. Various fires were set in the street and in garbage cans, a police car was spray-painted and vandalized, and there were attempts to set at least one business on fire. Numerous projectiles were thrown at or launched at police and firefighters including rocks, bottles, ball bearings, fireworks, smoke bombs, and road flares.
Police Bureau Command announced that the permit for the march was being revoked and encouraged all law-abiding participants to leave Downtown Portland.
Criminal suspects were running all over Downtown Portland making it challenging for officers to effect arrests but eventually police were able to capture large groups of criminal suspects and make arrests in the area of Southwest 5th Avenue, Jefferson to Madison Streets. During the riot, there were limited deployments of less lethal munitions by police.
Here is a part of the Tweet storm from Portland Police official Twitter account detailing yesterday’s riot: