Clashes break out during competing protests in Portland

Clashes broke out during competing protests in Portland, Ore., on Sunday, with left-wing activists squaring off with members of a right-wing organization on the city streets, sparking public warnings from local police.

Multiple rallies were planned in the city for Sunday, the first being an anti-police brutality rally, which was organized by Direct Action Alliance and Empower Portland at 2 p.m. local time.

{mosads}The right-wing Patriot Prayer group’s rally was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., and the self-described anti-fascist activists Antifa planned to counterprotest the group by joining with Direct Action Alliance and Empower Portland. 

The competing rallies resulted in clashes among hundreds of people, according to local media reports.

Protests in downtown Portland turn violent, police advise people to stay away https://t.co/9RGkGYrVXo pic.twitter.com/AIQbZjZ35G

— KGW News (@KGWNews) June 3, 2018

Violent protests underway in Downtown Portland. Police urge people to avoid the area. https://t.co/Mdlx6xQvCC pic.twitter.com/XHt4uDy4El

— KOIN News (@KOINNews) June 3, 2018

Patriot Prayer was greeted with chants of “Nazis go home,” while altercations between protesters ensued. 

The Portland Police Department urged people to leave the area of the protests, citing the demonstrators’ violent conduct.

“Officers have observed multiple fights at today’s events. People are encouraged to leave the area for their safety due to the violent behavior of demonstrators at Terry Schrunk Plaza and Chapman and Lownsdale Squares,” the police department said in a tweet. 

Officers have observed multiple fights at today’s events. People are encouraged to leave the area for their safety due to the violent behavior of demonstrators at Terry Schrunk Plaza and Chapman and Lownsdale Squares.

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 3, 2018

Pepper spray was reportedly used on numerous demonstrators, according to Portland’s CBS affiliate. 

The protests come one year after Trump supporters clashed with counterprotesters in Portland, resulting in 14 arrests.