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Police deem dueling protests 'riot' in downtown Portland

Dueling protests in downtown Portland on Saturday afternoon drew heavy police presence after a morning of peaceful unrelated rallies.

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PORTLAND, Ore. -- Dueling protests in downtown Portland on Saturday afternoon drew heavy police presence after a morning of peaceful unrelated rallies.

Both Portland Police Bureau officers and Department of Homeland Security police were at the protest in riot gear. DHS told KGW federal officers are on scene because the protest was scheduled on federal property.

The alt-right group Patriot Prayer secured a permit for an event at Terry Schrunk Plaza from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Organizers said that event is demonstrating for free speech.

The anti-fascist group Portland Labor Against Fascists scheduled a rally nearby.

Neither rally was focused on President Trump's immigration policy.

Police arrested a total of four people at the event.

Luiz E. Marquez, 46, was arrested in connection to an investigation that started on June 3 during protest that happened in downtown Portland. He was charged with theft in the first degree and assault in the third degree.

Tusitala J. Toese,22, was arrested in connection to a protest on June 8 in downtown Portland. Toese is charged with assault in the fourth degree.

Donovon L. Flippo was arrested also in connection to protest on June 8 in downtown Portland. Flippo was charged with disorderly conduct in the second degree.

Matthew R. Braddock,37, was arrested in connection to a protest on May 31 also in downtown Portland. Braddock was charged with robbery in the second degree and assault in the third degree.

All were lodged in to the Multnomah County Jail.

Emergency crews treated several people for minor injuries while four people were taken to area hospitals with serious- but non-threatening-to minor injuries. One officer was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Earlier Saturday, peaceful demonstrations in Portland and Vancouver drew thousands of participants. Rallies across the country drew hundreds of thousands of people in "Families Belong Together" marches.

'What country is this?': Portland, Vancouver rallies against family separation

LIVE UPDATES:

7:48 p.m.: Police use flash bangs after a fight breaks out between opposing groups.

7:39 p.m.: There is still tension between opposing groups downtown.

7:15 p.m.: Several Patriot Prayer members leave the scene on a bus.

6:55 p.m.: Police fire what appear to be rubber bullets near protesters, several people put their hands up in response

Police announce that Terry Schrunk Plaza is closed.

6:30 p.m.: With police declaring the protest a riot, demonstrators on both sides move back to Terry Schrunk Plaza.

6:05 p.m.: Police detain more protesters as officers call the protest a "riot." Portland police announce that protesters must leave area or be subject to arrest.

5:54 p.m.: Police fire flash bangs at protesters as demonstrators flood downtown streets.

Police cancel the protest permit and order demonstrators to leave the roadway.

5:50 p.m.: Protesters from both groups threw fireworks and water bottles at each other, KGW reporter Art Edwards said.

5:45 p.m.: Patriot Prayer begins a permitted march from the protest area.

5:15 p.m.: One protester was arrested. Art Edwards reports the protester was arrested by Department of Homeland Security police.

Independent journalist Mike Bivins tweeted that he saw at least four protesters detained.

4:30 p.m.: Police announced any demonstrators in the roadway at Southwest 3rd Avenue could be arrested.

2 p.m:

Participants from both groups began showing up in the area. Portland police screened people entering Terry Schrunk Plaza for weapons. The protests grew to several hundred people banging cow bells, blowing air horns and holding signs.

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