Federal authorities intervened after clashes between armed far-right groups, some with "ties to fascist" organizations, and anti-racism protesters near the Justice Center in downtown Portland, Oregon, saw rocks, mace and paint balls used, per the Oregonian.
Of note: Portland Police officers "remained at a distance ... even as people beat others with sticks, and at least two right-wing activists brandished handguns," the Washington Post reports. The police blamed limited resources in a statement on "why the events downtown were not declared a riot and why police did not intervene."
A number of people here in downtown Portland wearing the Proud Boys polo shirt or other gear.
— Zane Sparling (@PDXzane) August 22, 2020
On the other side of the street, inflatable baby Trump pic.twitter.com/Mh7687R5Lc
Why it matters: Portland Police have frequently declared riots during unrest in the city since Black Lives Matter protests began 85 days ago, most recently on Friday.
What they're saying: The police said Portland officers "have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police, which is a major consideration for determining if police resources are necessary to interject."
- According to the police, there were "some physical interactions which quickly resolved themselves" during the two-hour standoff.