Crime & Safety

9 Arrested At Competing Rallies Saturday

Portland police arrested 4 people and DHS officers arrested 5 others at downtown rallies Saturday that were ultimately declared a riot.

PORTLAND, OR — City and federal law enforcement officers arrested nine people in downtown Portland Saturday during competing rallies that law enforcement officials ultimately declared a riot due to violence. Portland's Rose City Antifa and Vancouver's Patriot Prayer were the primary groups involved.

Those arrested include:

  • Matthew Reid Braddock, 37, of Vancouver, was reportedly arrested in connection with an investigation that began May 31. He is charged with robbery and assault.
  • Donovan Lyle Flippo, 23, of Vancouver, was reportedly arrested in connection with an investigation that began June 8.He is charged with disorderly conduct.
  • Luis Enrique Marquez, 46, of Portland, was reportedly arrested in connection with an investigation that began June 3, which stemmed from another protest event. He is charged with theft and assault.
  • Tusitala John "Tiny" Toese, 22, of Vancouver, was reportedly arrested in connection with an investigation that began June 8. The outspoken Patriot Prayer advocate is charged with assault.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers also reportedly arrested five individuals.

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Catherine Van of KATU News captured the moment Toese was arrested a tweet:

Four people, as well as one officer, were taken to hospital. Three of the civilians transported sustained non-serious, non-life-threatening injuries. One person sustained a serious injury, but police officials deemed the injury non-life-threatening.

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The officer's injury, which was non-serious and non-life-threatening, was reportedly caused by a hand-thrown projectile.

Projectiles and fist fights were just a couple of the dangers law enforcement and civilians faced on June 30 when Patriot Prayer's permitted "Freedom and Courage" rally clashed with Antifa's opposing "Defend PDX: Patriot Prayer's Violence Must End" rally.

"Portland Police planned for [Saturday's] protest so that people could exercise their First Amendment rights to speech and assembly," Portland Police Bureau Deputy Chief Bob Day said in a statement. "We seized numerous weapons early on, and interceded and separated people when necessary. However, once projectiles, such as fireworks, eggs, rocks, bottles and construction equipment were thrown and people were injured, we ordered people to disperse."

In response to the violence observed by officers, PPB officials revoked Patriot Prayer's permit about an hour after they deemed the event a riot. Police also responded by firing off less lethal munitions.

Additional arrests may reportedly follow as police investigate videos and pictures taken during the event.

Anyone who believes they were a victim of a crime committed during the event is encouraged to file a police report, officials said.


Top image via Scott Olson/Getty Images; booking photos via Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

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