Anarchists turn Portland’s May Day March into riot (VIDEO)

More than two dozen arrests were made Monday in Portland following a permitted May Day March that was turned into a riot by a group of anarchists, authorities say.

The march, which was to show support for immigrant workers’ labor rights, started out peaceful but around 3 p.m., fires were set and businesses vandalized, with an array of Molotov cocktails, fireworks, rocks, smoke bombs, and other items being hurtled at police officers about an hour later.

“In Portland we respect peaceful protest, but we do not and cannot support acts of violence and vandalism,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Tuesday morning. “That’s not political speech. That’s crime.”

The mayor continued, saying the events were “another chapter in a story that has become all too familiar in Portland: Protests that begin peacefully but devolve quickly due to the actions of those whose only desire is to damage people and property.”

Altogether, 25 people were arrested, including two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old, who were released into their parents’ custody.

Portland Police Chief Mike Marshman called the turn of events “unfortunate.”

Permitted #MayDayPDX March Turns Into Riot — 25 People Arrested (Photo) https://t.co/pdSHmw79En pic.twitter.com/muvZhWcjVR

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) May 2, 2017

[ KGW ]

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