Antifa insurgents violently disrupted a patriotic-themed event in Portland Sunday, seeking violence and a clash with the opposing group.
Hundreds of black bloc Antifa militants arrived at Portland’s Waterfront Park to counter-protest the “Summer of Love: Patriots Spreading Love not Hate” event which was scheduled to begin at 2, per the Post Millennial.
In efforts to escape possible violence, the group moved the event to a different location.
Indeed, many Antifa rioters boasted weapons like AR-15s and SKS rifles.
Four Antifa members in black block walking down the Portland waterfront park. Two armed. One carrying an SKS and the other an AR15. I caught these two at a distance. Won’t pursue them for better photos as I’m with my family. pic.twitter.com/SY83k8Z5ov
— Greg (@CasuallyGreg) August 22, 2021
Even with a change in location, a large group of Antifa showed up at the new rally location, attacking and throwing explosives into the crowd upon arrival.
A small diverse group gathers at the patriotic-themed “summer of love” right-wing rally in northeast Portland. Antifa called for violence against the group so the rally was relocated from downtown to a parking lot on the east side. pic.twitter.com/5mZulLsIJV
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
A white van carrying Antifa members crashed near the event, resulting in violent brawls between opposing groups. Witnesses believe the crash was a purposeful assault.
Antifa are retreating & throwing explosives in the process after launching an attack on the right-wing rally in northeast Portland. They’re being chased & hit. Video by @TaylerUSA: pic.twitter.com/eLDNMirI3r
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
After the violent antifa vs right-wing clash that resulted in antifa retreating, the right-wing side returned to the antifa van that crashed into the rally & flipped it over. Witnesses say antifa used the van to launch the attack. Video by @DrewHLive. pic.twitter.com/CHNosW02T0
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 22, 2021
Once the groups dispersed and the clash was over, Antifa established a new “autonomous zone” at Salmon Springs, dubbed SPAZ: Salmon Springs Park Autonomous Zone.
Fencing is up: Antifa has now turned Salmon Springs Park into an autonomous zone. pic.twitter.com/DGz0w661fH
— James Klüg (@realJamesKlug) August 23, 2021
It was not long before a vehicle with covered license plates showed up to distribute riot gear.
Breaking:
22 Aug. in downtown Portland: An antifa support vehicle with covered license plates drives up to the occupied area so that antifa can unload riot gear. Notice the antifa flag once again. Video by @DrewHLive: pic.twitter.com/Sb9kCTUQqc— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 23, 2021
Several members of the media showed up to check out the scene, and some were attacked. Tayler Hansen and Tara Szczepanski of the Polish American Brotherhood were confronted and pepper sprayed by a masked Antifa member, according to the Gateway Pundit.
Was just attacked by a group of ANTIFA at their autonomous zone.
Will upload footage when I’m back to safety. pic.twitter.com/w2QL95BHAB
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) August 23, 2021
“There were no immediate arrests, but detectives are reviewing evidence to determine whether charges can be brought for any criminal activity,” Portland Police said in a statement. “As stated before today’s events, officers were not deployed to stand in between individuals intent on confronting one another. But that does not mean the crimes committed will not be addressed. Arrests do not always happen in the moment. As in past such events, we are conducting follow-up investigations, gathering evidence, and will make arrests when probable cause exists that specific persons committed crimes. Just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later.”
