Police use tear gas, Portland protesters throw fire bombs

Police say fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member

Protesters in Portland threw rocks and fire bombs at police who in turn used tear gas on Saturday night and at least one person was injured, on the 100th day of demonstrations in the Oregon city against racism and police brutality.

Police described what they called “tumultuous and violent conduct” by protesters on the city’s Southeast Stark Street.

"Fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member", police said on Twitter while re-tweeting a video posted by a New York Times reporter showing fire bombs being thrown and a protester running with his legs on fire.

Fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member. Police are trying to restore peace and order for the safety of this neighborhood. https://t.co/V3UOCR6Bc4

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) September 6, 2020

Police used tear gas to disperse the gathering, the Oregonian newspaper reported, estimating the number of protesters at around 400.

Portland has seen nightly protests for over three months that have at times turned into violent clashes between demonstrators and officers, as well as between right- and left-wing groups.

Police said they made arrests but did not give a number.

“There were hundreds at the beginning (of Saturday night’s demonstrations). Arrests have been made, yes”, police told Reuters in an emailed statement when asked about the crowd size and whether arrests were made.

Elsewhere on Saturday, armed police supporters and anti-racism demonstrators clashed in Louisville before the Kentucky Derby horse race, while Rochester police also used tear gas to disperse protesters.

Demonstrations erupted around the United States following the death in May of George Floyd, a Black man, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

President Donald Trump signed a memo on Wednesday that threatens to cut federal funding to “lawless” cities, including Portland. His Democratic challenger in the November 3 presidential election, Joe Biden, has accused Trump of stoking violence with his rhetoric.