Riots declared in Portland as protesters and police clash after Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal

A fire is burning in the street during protests after the verdict “not guilty” was announced in the trial against Kyle Rittenhouse in Portland, Oregon, USA, on November 19, 2021.Grace Morgan / Reuters

• Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all counts of killing two men in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

• About 200 protesters gathered in Portland, Oregon, to protest the verdict.

• Protesters threw police with “urine, alcoholic beverages and batteries,” the sheriff’s office said.

A protest against Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal Friday night in Portland, Oregon, was declared a riot after windows were smashed and police officers were thrown with objects.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office declared the protest from about 200 people to be a riot around noon. 21 due to “violent, destructive behavior by a significant portion of the crowd.”

Officials said protesters had damaged the gate to the city’s Justice Center, which houses a police station and a jail. Videos posted on social media show police and protesters clashing in Portland, with protesters singing anti-police slogans and “Kyle is a terrorist.”

Chris Liedle of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office told KOIN TV that “enemy” protesters threw “urine, alcoholic beverages, water bottles and batteries” at police.

Garbage and debris were set on fire in the streets, and some protesters also discussed burning of the Justice Center, KOIN TV reported. Police used loudspeakers to tell the crowd to disperse or risk being arrested or subjected to force, including “pepper spray and firearms.”

By 11 p.m., the audience was mostly broken up, KOIN TV said.

That’s what Portland police said Twitter that at least one person was arrested.

Medlemmer af politiet i optøjsudstyr står i en garage under en konfrontation med demonstranter, efter at den “ikke skyldige” dom blev annonceret i retssagen mod Kyle Rittenhouse i Portland, Oregon, USA, den 19. november 2021.Grace Morgan / Reuters

Crowds gathered in downtown Portland to protest after a jury acquitted Rittenhouse, 18, of all charges of the fatal shooting of two men during anti-racism protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year.

The verdict has spawned strong reactions along political lines, with many right-wing politicians praises the teenage shooter, while others have argued that the acquittal could encourage vigilant violence.

President Joe Biden appealed for calm in one announcement while acknowledging that many Americans feel “angry.”

“While the Kenosha ruling will make many Americans feel angry and worried, including myself, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken,” he said.

“I urge everyone to express their views peacefully, in accordance with the rule of law. Violence and destruction of property have no place in our democracy.”

In response to the verdict, peaceful demonstrations were also held in several cities, including Chicago, New York and Oakland.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the White House “supports all efforts against peaceful protests.”

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