EXPLOSIVE ‘RIOT’
Scary moment protester is hit by firework as cops and demonstrators clash at Portland federal courthouse
THE scary moment a protester was hit by a firework outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, was caught on camera as demonstrators and cops continue to clash.
The scene was captured and earlier on Friday by user Lindsey Smith, who wrote the protester was hurt from the explosive firework.
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The clip shows the firework quickly burst as the demonstrator appears to keel over.
“I don’t know if that person is OK,” Smith can be heard saying in her video, but it looks like the injured person is quickly helped up by fellow demonstrators.
on Thursday deemed the protest area near the Federal Courthouse and Multnomah County Justice Center a for the second time in three days.
Just before 4 am local time on Friday, police a riot was “still declared” in the area and ordered those still around to “leave the area now by moving to the west.”
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“Tear gas and other crowd control munitions may be deployed. Leave the area now.”
“There are several people in this crowd starting fires, throwing rocks at officers, pointing lasers at officers, and launching projectiles with slingshots at officers,” police wrote.
“Leave the area now or you will be subject to arrest.
, the demonstration remained somber for more than two hours as people of color delivered speeches as fireworks burst in the background.
After 11.30pm, the crowd moved to the front of the courthouse and some protesters set off fireworks, and a piece of wood was apparently set on fire in the middle of the street.
Around 11.45pm, police ordered those in the area to leave because of “criminal activity.”
Police said a riot had been declared at 11.52pm.
Just after 12am, police began to move in and per Oregon Live, at least one person was pepper-sprayed as cops tried to clear the area.
Police announced they were leaving around 12.15am, and warned protesters not to follow them, but after they left, demonstrators refilled the area.
Around 12.40am, police again said the gathering was a riot and ordered people to leave.
As they tried to disperse the crowd, police “demonstrators continued to throw rocks, cans, and commercial-grade fireworks and mortars towards officers.”
“Because of the violent nature of the demonstrators while officers cleared the area, crowd control munitions were used and several arrests were made.”
Smith that around 20 protesters played a "lively game" of football between shouting matches with police.
"When the police shoot they go yell at them for a minute then go back to their game," she wrote.
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It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were arrested or if anyone was injured.
Protests have broken out in Portland and across the country since the death of in May.
Per the news outlet, Thursday's protest .
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