Police Deploy Flash-Bangs One Hour Before Portland’s Curfew

Mayor Wheeler this morning declared an 8 pm curfew across the city. But the first demonstrator standoff with police started well before dusk.

Protesters began barricading along 4th Ave. and Harvey Milk St. in an attempt to slow down police. (Alex Wittwer)
By Aaron Mesh and Alex Wittwer

Portland police wasted little time in cracking down on protesters one night after rioters looted stores across downtown.

One hour before the 8 pm curfew issued by Mayor Ted Wheeler this morning, police declared a gathering of protesters along Southwest 3rd Avenue to be "an unlawful assembly," deployed flash-bangs and tear gas, and arrested at least one person.

The arrest came one block from the Multnomah County Justice Center, the courthouse where protesters gathered last night to protest the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Some people smashed in the courthouse windows and set office cubicles on fire. Looters ransacked stores until nearly 4 am.

Despite the 8 pm curfew declared by Wheeler, the first demonstrator standoff with police started well before dusk. At 7:03 pm, police deployed flash-bangs, sometimes known as concussion grenades, and arrested a woman.

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