Portland protesters attempting to establish an “autonomous zone” similar to the one in Seattle abandoned it shortly after erecting it.
Footage from Wednesday night shows hundreds of rioters in the city erecting a makeshift fence to cordon off an area, reporter Andy Ngo tweeted.
Rioters are grabbing whatever fencing they can find around downtown Portland to build their own autonomous zone. #antifa pic.twitter.com/K3Pc9bvqGS
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 11, 2020
Police reportedly used flash-bang grenades while the hundreds of protesters assembled and barricaded themselves behind the fence. Protesters were also filmed dancing within the area.
Dance party right next to fence, yards from where police are peppering crowd occasionally pic.twitter.com/ZmyZYoiumy
— Molly Harbarger (@MollyHarbarger) June 11, 2020
But by early Thursday morning, protesters had dispersed, according to police.
The group which had gathered in the area of SW Main ST and SW 3rd Ave dispersed on their own at about 2:00 a.m.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 11, 2020
Freelance journalist Sergio Olmos also tweeted Thursday morning, “The fence, in what was looking briefly like the beginnings of an autonomous zone, is now abandoned. A shorter life than the city hall wall.”
The fence, in what was looking briefly like the beginnings of an autonomous zone, is now abanonded. A shorter life than the city hall wall. pic.twitter.com/OjILjPB0CT
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 11, 2020
The attempt at establishing the zone comes as Jami Resch, a white woman, stepped down from her post as the city’s chief of police Monday and asked Chuck Lovell, a black lieutenant, to take her place. He was sworn in as the city’s 50th chief of police on Thursday.
“This is going to be a tumultuous time, but one that is also filled with opportunity for change,” said Lovell. “I’ve spent my career listening to the community and convey that heart to the community. We are here to serve them, yet we know we have work to do. I am a public servant and will show up every day with a servant’s heart.”
Portland appeared to abandon the zone, though Seattle continues guarding its “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” in the wake of George Floyd’s death in police custody.
A law enforcement officer told Fox News that residents of the area are “forced to show ID to prove you ‘belong’ there” and have been “begging for help because they are not being allowed into their homes without ID.” Fox also reported that the area is surrounded by armed guards.
“It’s like checking in with somebody to get into your own home,” resident Mckenzie Diamond told Kiro 7. “Just making it so people can get into their buildings. Keep the zone however they want, and move the fencing so people can go home.”
A police official told Fox News that the protesters there are also “starting to extort money from the local businesses within the border for ‘protection.'”
Raz Simone, rumored to be one of the leaders of the group, denied any extortion to local outlet KOMO News.
“Definitely no extortion, definitely nothing of that,” Simone said. “We’ve invited people to come in.”
President Trump has demanded that officials take control of the situation, or he will step in.
“Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before,” Trump tweeted. “Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!”
