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Portland police declare riot, use smoke to clear crowd

Portland police declare riot, use smoke to clear crowd
Posted at 2:04 PM, Aug 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-17 17:04:35-04

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a riot as protesters demonstrated outside a law enforcement building early Sunday, continuing a nightly ritual in the city.

Officers used crowd-control munitions including smoke to disperse the gathering outside the Penumbra Kelly building.

Police said protesters had thrown "softball size" rocks, glass bottles and other objects at officers.

Police also reported vandalism at the building.

The actions came after what started as a peaceful protest late Saturday.

Violence had erupted earlier Saturday afternoon when a small group of far-right demonstrators traded paintballs and pepper spray with counter-protesters.