Media PDX via Storyful
A riot was declared in Portland after at least 100 people descended on a police union building and set it ablaze – as angry protests continue across the US after the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Minnesota.
The large group gathered in the area of Kenton Park and began marching toward the Portland Police Association Building on North Lombard Street shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, police said.
“Upon arrival at the building, someone from the group started a fire in a garbage can that was placed directly next to the building,” police said in a release.
“Police gave announcements to the crowd via the sound truck to stop their criminal activity or be subject to arrest and force,” the statement said.
Police said that someone in the crowd used an accelerant to ignite the wooden framing around a door.
“Incident command declared a riot due to the criminal activity and danger the fires were posing to the neighborhood,” cops said. “Police gave more warnings and direction for people to get out of the street and walk away to the north.”
Firefighters later extinguished the blaze and one person, identified as Alma Raven-Guido, 19, was charged with second-degree arson, police said.
No tear gas or munitions were used to disperse the crowd, police added.
In Ohio, meanwhile, protesters managed to get inside the Columbus police headquarters Tuesday night after gathering at Mayme Moore Park for a vigil and balloon release, WBNS reported.
Police Sgt. James Fuqua said the vigil was peaceful until the group went to the headquarters, where some people became aggressive and began to pull on the doors.
Fuqua said the protesters pepper-sprayed at least one officer, according to the station. Police responded by also using pepper spray, he said, adding that one person was detained.
A sergeant suffered non-life-threatening injuries when he was hit with a stick during the incident, Lt. Tim Myers told WBNS.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a tweet: “We share the frustrations over police killings of unarmed Black men, and we support nonviolent protests. That does not include breaking into public buildings or violence against officers. Let me be clear: Violence and destruction will not be tolerated.”
And in Dallas, two civil rights groups joined forces Tuesday to call for action in front of the police headquarters, Fox 4 reported.
The activists included LaSandra Scott, the mother of Marvin Scott, who died last month while in police custody for alleged marijuana possession, according to the outlet.
“I know exactly how his mom feels. Horrible, shocked,” she said about Wright’s mother. “And you wouldn’t think it would happen in Minnesota.”
Scott’s son had been restrained and pepper-sprayed before Collin County detention officers put a spit hood over his head, Fox 4 reported.
Wright was fatally shot by a Minnesota cop who mistakenly drew her service handgun instead of a Taser during a traffic stop. The officer, Kimberly Potter, 48, has resigned from the Brooklyn Center police force.
*story by The New York Post
