2 arrested in Portland protests, mayor extends emergency

Associated Press

PORTLAND – Police arrested two people Tuesday night in downtown Portland, Oregon, after a large group of people marched through the streets and smashed windows of businesses, including different Starbucks locations.

The city has seen repeated protests and vandalism since George Floyd’s death last May. Earlier Tuesday Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency for the verdict at the murder trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. A Minneapolis jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter for pinning Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck.

Wheeler on Wednesday extended the state of emergency for another 24 hours. The declaration places the National Guard and Oregon State Police on standby.

People began gathering around 7 p.m. Tuesday to “celebrate George’s life” outside the Justice Center in downtown Portland.

At its peak, police estimated there were about 150 people who blocked roads in the area of the Hatfield Courthouse. One man was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief. Police said a second man scuffled with officers and was arrested on charges of assaulting a public safety officer and assault.