UP IN FLAMES

‘Black Lives Matter and Antifa rioters’ BURN an American flag during Portland unrest after Proud Boys gathering

Danielle Cinone

Published: 14:33, 27 Sep 2020
Updated: 19:52, 27 Sep 2020

"BLACK Lives Matter and Antifa rioters" burned an American flag on Saturday night during Portland unrest after a Proud Boys gathering.

Footage of the incident - which took place in Portland, Oregon - showed demonstrators lighting the patriotic banner on fire and then throwing it to the ground to burn.

Protesters burned an American flag in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday nightCredit: AP:Associated Press

- which appeared alongside other alt-right groups at extremist gatherings in 2018 - were launched in 2016 and have been classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Protests have been taking place in the violence-plagued city of Portland for nearly four months - in the aftermath of George Floyd's fatal arrest which sparked nationwide unrest.

press release, protests started out peacefully during the day on Saturday until approximately 8.30pm when hundreds more gathered into Downtown Portland.

The Proud Boys were launched in 2016 and have been classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law CenterCredit: Reuters

A stands around a fire set by protesters in Portland, Oregon, in JulyCredit: Alamy Live News

As protesters refused to obey police orders to disperse out of roadways, officers made arrests.

"While making arrests and ticketing illegally parked vehicles, projectiles were thrown at officers including full beverages cans, firecrackers and rocks," police stated.

As officers cleared another area after 10.30pm, they "were targeted by high velocity objects, believed to be ball bearings launched from slingshots."

Officers ended up making multiple arrests in Portland's downtown Lownsdale and Chapman Square Parks.

The weekend chaos came after Oregon State Governor Kate Brown announced a weekend state of emergency.

Brown said on Friday: “The First Amendment does not give anyone license to hurt or kill someone because of opposing political views.

“And when free expression is fueled by hate and coupled with an intent to incite violence, then I need to do everything I can as governor to ensure the safety of Oregonians."

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