Protesters of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer clash with protesters from anti-fascist groups during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon, U.S. June 30, 2018, in this still image taken from video from obtained from social media. MANDATORY CREDIT. Bryan Colomo/via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Anti-fascist and right-wing activists clashed in Portland, Oregon on Saturday night as violence broke out during a march in support of a conservative Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, media reported.

Scuffles broke out after anti-fascists pelted marchers from the right-wing Patriot Prayer group with eggs, water bottles and firecrackers, the Oregonian newspaper reported. The Patriot Prayer group's founder Joey Gibson is running for the Senate.

Police made a handful of arrests from both sides, and officers seized utility knives, pepper spray and clubs, according to the newspaper.

A spokesperson for the Portland police could not be immediately reached for comment. </s> Members of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer and left-wing Antifa groups clashed on Saturday at a rally in Portland, Oregon. Several people were injured, but police were able to break up the brawl. </s> A rally turned violent in downtown Portland, Oregon.The brawl, all caught on camera.Two opposing protest groups, the conservative Patriot Prayer and the liberal anti-fascists or Antifa, slugged it out in the street.People were also reportedly lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs in the crowd.The Patriot Prayer group claimed to be gathering for a "freedom rally."Antifa calls Patriot Prayer racist and full of hate speech.Nine people were arrested, and a police officer was hurt trying to break up the fight. </s> PORTLAND, Ore. -- Two opposing protest groups -- Patriot Prayer and antifa -- clashed in downtown Portland Saturday, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reports. Portland police said failure to leave the area could leave to arrests, calling the demonstration a riot.

More than 100 members of Patriot Prayer group gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a "freedom rally," while more than 100 counter protesters with an antifa group gathered across the street at Chapman Square for rallies before a march. Police revoked Patriot Prayer's permit for the rally after the two groups began to clash.

People were lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs in the crowd while police used flash bangs in an effort to disperse the clashing protesters. Police tweeted Saturday night they used "aerial distractions" and not tear gas.

Portland Police have used aerial distraction devices in today's protest. Portland Police have not used tear gas as some are reporting. — Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 1, 2018

Patroit Prayer organizer Joey Gibson told KOIN the clashes "good in terms that we showed that there's a political move right now to have the police stand down in order to impact free speech in some of these big cities."

"Portland's the last city on the West Coast that's doing that, so we just have to keep hitting it -- I don't see what else to do other than that," Gibson said. "We'll make Portland so ugly in terms of how they allow these protesters to charge us when we have a permit. The police stood down, we were told they would not stand down, so we have to challenge it."

A group called Eugene Antifa created a Facebook event called "Defend PDX: Patriot Prayer's violence must end"

"It is very important that antifascists keep up the pressure so that we can stop them once and for all," the Facebook page says.

Portland police told KOIN there would be "significant law enforcement precense" downtown. KOIN reports that police were already dressed in riot gear before the 4 p.m. start time.

The protest was similar to June 3 demonstrations near City Hall in Portland, Oregon, which led to four arrests after clashes between right-wing groups and antifa.

Thousands of people protested earlier Saturday against the the Trump administration's family separations and across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington. Hundreds of rallies were held nationwide to protest President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, blasted Mr. Trump's immigration policies and asked the crowd what score the president would get for his zero tolerance policy. The crowd shouted back, "Zero!" </s> Anti-fascist and right-wing activists clashed in Portland, Oregon on Saturday night as violence broke out during a march in support of a conservative Republican candidate for the US Senate, media reported.



Scuffles broke out after anti-fascists pelted marchers from the right-wing Patriot Prayer group with eggs, water bottles and firecrackers, the Oregonian newspaper reported. The Patriot Prayer group’s founder Joey Gibson is running for the Senate.

Police made a handful of arrests from both sides, and officers seized utility knives, pepper spray and clubs, according to the newspaper.

A spokesperson for the Portland police could not be immediately reached for comment. </s> Two opposing groups showed up to a “Freedom and Courage” rally Saturday in downtown Portland, Oregon, and a riot broke out, reports CBS News. When neither side wanted to leave, Portland’s police department threatened arrests would come next. “More than 100 members of Patriot Prayer group gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a ‘freedom rally,’ while more than 100 counter protesters with an Antifa group gathered across the street at Chapman Square for rallies before a march. Police revoked Patriot Prayer’s permit for the rally after the two groups began to clash.” The march was set to start at 6 p.m., and while the police had no problem with the peaceful protest aspect of it all when things took a turn towards criminal activity, they had to step in.

“People were lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs and throwing eggs and water bottles into the crowd. Police used aerial distraction devices, pepper spray and pepper balls in an effort to disperse the clashing protesters,” reports KOIN. Portland police told KOIN that they were prepared for issues to occur at the rally and planned to have a substantial police presence there, with cops taking the necessary precautions by donning their riot gear before the event even started.

After their permit was revoked, Patriot Prayer gathered their group at Terry Schrunk Plaza but the park was closed by the Federal Protective Service, who insisted that everyone had to leave. Those who still wanted to have an event headed to SW 3rd between SW Clay and Columbia. But trouble followed and after another clash occurred, so those who remained boarded a bus and left.

Patriot Prayer’s organizer, Joey Gibson, told KOIN, that the fighting was “good in terms that we showed that there’s a political move right now to have the police stand down in order to impact free speech in some of these big cities.” He saw Portland as one of the last cities on the west coast doing that so that’s why they keep doing this. “We’ll make Portland so ugly in terms of how they allow these protesters to charge us when we have a permit. The police stood down, we were told they would not stand down, so we have to challenge it.”

The last time this happened was back on June 3 where clashes happened in a demonstration near City Hall in Portland. That one ended with four arrests after the right-wing groups and Antifa clashed. In Saturday’s clash, a group called Eugene Antifa made a Facebook event, according to CBS News, where they gave their reason for doing what they do. “It is very important that antifascists keep up the pressure so that we can stop them once and for all.” </s> PORTLAND, Ore. -- Two opposing protest groups -- Patriot Prayer and antifa -- clashed in downtown Portland Saturday, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reports. Portland police said failure to leave the area could leave to arrests, calling the demonstration a riot.

More than 100 members of Patriot Prayer group gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a "freedom rally," while more than 100 counter protesters with an antifa group gathered across the street at Chapman Square for rallies before a march. Police revoked Patriot Prayer's permit for the rally after the two groups began to clash.

People were lighting firecrackers and smoke bombs in the crowd while police used flash bangs in an effort to disperse the clashing protesters.

"It is very important that antifascists keep up the pressure so that we can stop them once and for all," the Facebook page says.

Portland police told KOIN there would be "significant law enforcement precense" downtown. KOIN reports that police were already dressed in riot gear before the 4 p.m. start time.

The protest was similar to June 3 demonstrations near City Hall in Portland, Oregon, which led to four arrests after clashes between right-wing groups and antifa.

Thousands of people protested earlier Saturday against the the Trump administration's family separations and across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington. Hundreds of rallies were held nationwide to protest President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, blasted Mr. Trump's immigration policies and asked the crowd what score the president would get for his zero tolerance policy. The crowd shouted back, "Zero!" </s> POLICE in Portland, Oregon, have arrested at least three people during demonstrations by right-wing groups and counterprotesters.

Authorities didn't immediately release details of the arrests. Hundreds of flag-waving members of the Proud Boys and Three Percenters militia group, as well as black-clad anti-fascist counterprotesters, gathered in downtown Portland on Saturday.

They were met by a huge police presence of more than two dozen local, state and federal agencies. Police used concrete barriers and closed bridges to keep the rival groups separated.

Police say they've seized weapons such as metal and wooden poles, bear spray and shields from multiple groups at the rally and counterprotest in the city.

Meanwhile, the leader of a right-wing group was busted by police in Portland, Oregon, before a rally expected to draw people from around the country.

Patriot Prayer's Joey Gibson to urge his followers to "show up one hundred-fold" in response to his arrest, the Associated Press reported.

The arrests of Gibson and five other far-right activists appear to be a signal from cops to organisers to keep their event peaceful, the New York Post said. Anti-fascist groups have promised to confront the right-wingers at their rally in Oregon's largest city. Similar events in the past resulted in widespread unrest on Portland's streets.

An organiser told the Portland Oregonian he expects up to 1000 people to take part in the demonstration. Thousands of counter-protesters are also expected.

CNN reports that Portland authorities have been warning residents to stay home as far-right groups planned a rally aimed at putting an "end to domestic terrorism," with a particular focus on Antifa extremist groups.

There were fears the rally could prompt violent clashes between both a smattering of right-wing extremists and Antifa counterdemonstrators, like those the city has seen in recent years.

The Oath Keepers, an anti-government group associated with the militia movement, said in a statement on its website it would not attend the event as a group but would continue to oppose Antifa. </s> FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2018 file photo, Patriot Prayer founder and rally organizer Joey Gibson speaks to his followers at a rally in Portland, Ore. On Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 authorities announced they’ve arrested Gibson, the leader of the right-wing group, on the eve of a far-right rally that’s expected to draw people from around the U.S. to Portland on Saturday, Aug. 17, prompting Gibson to urge his followers to “show up one hundred-fold” in response. (AP Photo/John Rudoff, File)

More than two dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, were in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday to help police there monitor a right-wing rally that’s expected to draw demonstrators from around the U.S.

Self-described anti-fascists — known as antifa — have vowed to confront the rally while leaders from the far right urged their followers to turn out in large numbers to protest the arrests of six members of right-wing groups in the run-up to the event.

In a Saturday morning tweet, President Donald Trump wrote “Portland is being watched very closely.” He said federal authorities are considering “naming ANTIFA an ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.”

Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson, who is not involved in this weekend’s event but organized similar rallies in 2017 and 2018 that erupted in clashes, surrendered Friday on an arrest warrant for felony rioting. He was at a confrontation that broke out on May 1 outside a bar where antifa members had gathered after a May Day demonstration.

In a video he livestreamed on Facebook, Gibson accused the police of playing politics by arresting him but not the masked demonstrators who beat up conservative blogger Andy Ngo at a June 29 rally that drew national attention to this small, liberal city.

A video of that attack went viral and led the Proud Boys, who have been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, to organize Saturday’s event.

ALSO READ: Dozens arrested as May Day marches turn violent in Northwest

“What I’m saying to everybody who’s listening to this (is) they’re trying to shut you guys up. They want you to not show up in Portland, they want to put fear in your hearts,” Gibson said.

“When a government pushes back like that, we don’t bend the knee,” Gibson said, as he walked to the jail.

Portland Police Bureau spokeswoman Tina Jones declined to comment about specific arrests but said generally police continue to investigate several incidents from clashes on May 1 and June 29 and are politically neutral.

Members of antifa often cover their faces with masks, making it harder to identify them.

“We receive criticism no matter what. It’s either too much, not enough, you arrested this group and not this group,” Jones said. “It seems like some people are keeping score, and that’s not what it’s about on the law enforcement side. One hundred per cent, it’s about public safety.”

In addition to the Proud Boys, the white nationalist American Guard and the Three Percenters, a far-right militia, have said they will have members in Portland.

Hate group watchdogs say the Daily Stormers, a neo-Nazi group, are also expected.

The Oath Keepers, another far-right militia group, said in a statement they were pulling out of the rally because organizers have not done enough to keep white supremacist groups away.

“It would be best for the patriot/conservative cause if this August 17 rally were simply cancelled,” the group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, wrote. “Those who want to protest the way Portland coddles Antifa should start over, with a clean slate.”

Authorities asked residents not to call 911 unless it’s a life-threatening emergency and to stay away from the heart of downtown. Some city streets will be closed Saturday, as well as a major bridge connecting the east and west sides of the city.

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A right-wing Patriot Prayer rally in Portland, Oregon turns violent, with clashes reported between the group and the left-wing group Antifa. The Portland Police Bureau reports that four arrests were made for outstanding warrants, and that Patriot Prayer's permit to march was cancelled once the violence began.