Proud Boys and Antifa Clash in Portland as 'Summer of Love' Event Turns Violent

3 years ago
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Chaotic scenes in Portland on Sunday, as a coalition of the Proud Boys and various conservative & right-wing groups gathered for an event, dubbed the 'Summer of Love', and were met with Antifa and left-wing counter-protesters.

Initially planned to be held in downtown Portland, the event was moved to an abandoned Kmart parking lot several miles away after Antifa announced plans to counter-demonstrate in the same area as their rally. The groups, at first, gathered in their respective spaces - a large contingent in black bloc met at a park in downtown Portland, while Proud Boys held their rally and a couple hours of speeches in the abandoned Kmart lot.
Near 4 in the afternoon, a group of about 50 Antifa-aligned activists in black bloc made their way to the former Kmart lot, setting off a series of street battles as opposing sides brought out mace, pepper spray, bats, shields and other objects against each other.

The black bloc group threw several explosives and projectiles at the Proud Boys, who themselves fired paintball and airsoft guns against them as the group in bloc retreated to a nearby high school parking lot where they had gathered near the Kmart. Windows were smashed of multiple vehicles suspected of being with Antifa and aiding in transportation of supplies and persons, with one man seen fleeing his vehicle after being hit repeatedly by the Proud Boys.
Police were nowhere to be seen as the brawls occurred, following through on a notice they released a few days prior announcing that they would not be separating the opposing groups. Both Mayor Ted Wheeler and the Portland Police Bureau have received criticism for their 'hands-off' approach to the event.

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