Oregon police reviewing use of force at protest

The police chief in Portland, Ore., is calling for an investigation into the use of force by the city’s officers during a protest reportedly organized by right-wing militants. 

Police Chief Danielle Outlaw announced the investigation on Sunday after allegations by multiple groups that Portland officers appeared to target counterprotesters more forcefully than rally organizers on Saturday, according to The Associated Press. 

Outlaw reportedly directed the department to begin an internal investigation into whether the force used adhered to policing guidelines.

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The Oregon chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America said in a joint statement that the police “targeted Portland residents peacefully counter-protesting against racist far-right groups, including white supremacists, white nationalists, and neo-Nazi gangs.” 

The Oregon branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also weighed in with a statement calling the Portland police department’s response “completely unacceptable in a free society,” according to the AP.

“The repeated use of excessive force, and the targeting of demonstrators based on political beliefs are a danger to the First Amendment rights of all people,” David Rogers, the head of the Oregon ACLU, said in a statement on Sunday. “We call on the Portland Police Bureau, Mayor [Ted] Wheeler, and Chief Outlaw to immediately end the use of weapons, munitions, and explosives against protesters.” 

Police declared the Portland rally a civil disturbance and ordered everyone to leave after demonstrators were seen hurling projectiles into the crowds, according to The Oregonian.  

Eder Campuzano, a reporter for The Oregonian, tweeted posted a photo of his head bleeding after he was hit by an object.

HEY GUYS. I am okay. En route to get looked at but you’ve seen the worst. Thanks for the concern and stay safe out there, fellow journos — we may be 80% water but dang does it smart when you get beaned by some. https://t.co/du7uj9FOWB

— eder campuzano (@edercampuzano) August 4, 2018

Four people were arrested during the rally, during which police fired stun grenades that injured several protesters. 

The rally was reportedly organized by Patriot Prayer, a group led by Senate candidate Joey Gibson that the Southern Poverty Law Center has deemed a hate group. 

Counterprotesters included representation from various labor unions, immigrant rights advocates, anti-fascists, democratic socialists and other groups, the AP reported.  

Portland was also the site of two other violent protests this summer.