Portland police arrest 50 following protests

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police in Portland said they arrested 50 people after things like balloons of paint and full cans of beverages were thrown at officers following George Floyd protests.

Authorities said most of the demonstrations Saturday were peaceful.

However, in a statement, police said several hundred people gathered downtown Saturday night, pushed on fencing surrounding the Justice Center and threw fireworks at officers.

Two deputies were injured, police said.

Following orders to disperse, police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Police also arrested about 20 people late Friday and early Saturday, alleging offenses that included disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Saturday ordered the city’s police to stop using a common type of tear gas except as a last resort in life-threatening situations, making it one of several cities that have started restricting law enforcement tactics in response to widespread protests over the killing of George Floyd.

Wheeler said he shares community concerns about the use of CS gas, especially during a respiratory-illness pandemic.

Critics have called on the Portland Police Bureau to permanently ban the use of CS gas on protesters.