Police ID 4 People Arrested During Protests Sunday

PORTLAND, OR — Competing protests in downtown Portland turned violent Sunday afternoon, resulting in four arrests but no serious injuries, according to police officials.

A scheduled and permitted 2 p.m. protest against police brutality, organized by Direct Action Alliance and Empower Portland, clashed with a permitted 5 p.m. rally put on by Patriot Prayer, a conservative-leaning right-wing group.

Terry Schrunk Plaza reportedly became the epicenter of the conflict when members of Antifa, an anti-fascist group, joined Direct Action Alliance and Empower Portland to protest Patriot Prayer's rally.

According to police and witnesses, after the protest against police brutality began but prior to Patriot Prayer's scheduled rallying time, people from both sides of the conflict began throwing rocks and bottles at each other, launching fireworks, and deploying pepper spray in what Portland police officials described as "assaultive behavior."

Heavily-armored officers arrived at the plaza around 4 p.m. and began wrangling the crowds.

"The intent of our presence today was to provide a safe environment for all participants, non-participants, and community members while ensuring the peaceful exercise of the First Amendment," PPB Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a statement. "The Police Bureau attempted to communicate directly with group organizers through the use of social media, a loud-hailer, and person-to-person communication in an effort to encourage an environment in which Portland community members could safely practice their right to free speech and assembly. Bureau members attempted to intercede by separating and arresting people on occasions when people's safety were in jeopardy."

Knives and bear mace were noted as items confiscated by officers during the conflict, though all manner of projectiles were identified by both news media and police.

Three people were reportedly taken to Multnomah County Jail and one was arrested, cited, and released by officers. All four were taken into custody in different places, and all four have been released as of June 4.

The following people were arrested June 3 (their group affiliations were not specified by police):

• Bryan Adam Neyman, 26, was arrested by Federal Protective Service officers near Terry Schrunk Plaza and Chapman and Lownsdale Squares. He was charged with four counts of felony assault and one count of robbery;
• Jonathan David Feit, 36, was arrested near Southwest Second Avenue and Southwest Columbia Street. He was charged with disorderly conduct;
• Andrew James Arbow, 32, was arrested at Terry Schrunk Plaza. He was charged with disorderly conduct; and
• Gregory N. Isaacson, 43, was arrested, cited for failure to comply with a lawful order, and released at Terry Schrunk Plaza.

Any crimes captured on video will be investigated, police said, noting that more arrests and citations could follow for any identifications made on social media or television.

For three hours after law enforcement got involved, police worked to keep the groups separated as best they could, with pockets of violence breaking out intermittently until the conflict was reduced to shouting matches from opposite sidewalks.

All protesters reportedly dispersed around 7 p.m.

Top image via Scott Olson/Getty Images