Despite advance warnings, Portland Police Bureau officers were powerless to stop another night of rioting, arson, and gunfire carried out by Antifa. Rioters set multiple fires and engaged in drive-by gunfire.
Antifa rioters set an Apple Store on fire Friday night during the third declared riot in five days. The fire was one of the multiple fires Portland police officers were powerless to prevent.
Portland Police Bureau officials issued a warning Friday night that a planned “Direct Action” by Antifa could lead to a “high fire danger.”
A statement from police officials warns:
The Portland Police Bureau is aware that individuals are planning a so called “direct action” event this evening at Director Park (with a 9 p.m. march). Such events have historically included wanton destruction of public and private property, violence and the active threat of harm by thrown or propelled objects, fire and impact weapons. Similarly advertised events promoted and then engaged in arson and riots.
Despite the advance warning, Antifa rioters carried out their plans to create more property damage in the Downtown District Friday night.
Rioters set fire to a portable toilet outside the Apple Store late Friday night. The fire spread to the outside of the store causing extensive damage.
Portland Fire & Rescue units arrived to extinguish the flames before the fire spread inside the Apple Store.
Elsewhere in the area, Antifa arsonists set multiple fires causing police to declare a riot.
As police stood by and watched, rioters vandalized multiple businesses in the city. The police report states:
A separate group of an estimated several hundred people started marching from Director?s Park at about 9:30 p.m. Participants in this march started breaking windows of businesses, including the Nordstrom, Verizon, Nike, the Oregon Historical Society and more. In addition to burglary and vandalism, individuals engaged in the crime of criminal mischief by damaging planters and applying graffiti. Looting was reported as well. Windows were also broken at the First Christian Church, a location known for their generosity in feeding over a thousand meals weekly to the homeless.
In a nearly apologetic statement, police said they made “focused arrests.” Officials said only four people were arrested “for their criminal behavior during the event.”
“Damage to businesses hurts our City. Our community has made it clear that it will not tolerate wanton violence and destruction” Portland Police Bureau Acting Chief Chris Davis said in a written statement. “No one is entitled to break windows, set fires, or attack police officers.”
Police eventually formed a skirmish line and forces rioters out of the area.
The Friday-night riots marked the third night of rioting in five days, The Oregonian reported. The local newspaper reported several gunshots from a car traveling near the protest area.
Earlier this week, Antifa riots set the Portland Police Association headquarters building on fire, Breitbart News reported. Police, once again, had advance notice of the planned “Direct Action” but could not prevent the fire. One person was arrested for the alleged arson.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.