The city of Portland, Oregon, experienced another night of rioting and standoffs between law enforcement officials and demonstrators.
Law enforcement officials declared Wednesday night’s activities a riot, the fourth this week, and ultimately resorted to using tear gas on those who refused to clear the area.
The evening’s festivities were mostly peaceful until late at night when some of the 300 or so people in the streets began lighting things on fire and throwing things over a fence that was installed to protect a courthouse that had been targeted, CBS News reported. Some threw raw chicken breasts at officers while others set off fireworks and threw bottles, according to the Washington Post.
The police began directing people to disperse around 11:30 p.m. local time and declared those remaining to be participating in a riot. They subsequently used tear gas on demonstrators, marking the first time that law enforcement officials have used tear gas in about a week.
Portions of the city have devolved into nightly chaos as agitators and demonstrators have come to the street to protest the death of George Floyd and to raise awareness about social injustices. Such protests have often turned to violence and destruction in the 70-plus days of rallying in the city.
