Exchange of Live Rounds at ‘Event For Patriots’ Portland
08.22.2021 | The "United We Win Event for Patriots" on August 22nd saw violence in the Portland area, including an exchange of gunfire and multiple vehicles being damaged by “United We Win Event for Patriot” attendees, including the fascist group the Proud Boys. The event's date was chosen by the group to commemorate extraordinarily violent brawls in the city one year prior.
At their planned meeting time of 2 PM, alt-right protesters gathered to hear speakers at an abandoned K-Mart. This is not the original site planned; the large turnout of anti-fascists nearby to their originally planned location caused them to move away from the opposition, which numbered somewhere in the region of 300. By moving approximately eight miles away, the opposition became split on moving or staying, and counterprotesters ended up trickling over to the new location. Sometime around 3 PM, supporters of the patriot event flipped a wheelchair accessibility van, looted its contents, and smashed its windows, spray painting "FAFO" (“Fuck Around Find Out”) on its roof. Other vehicles in the area, parked near a local high school, had tires slashed and windows smashed. Far-right demonstrators violently brawled with bystanders, counter-protesters, and media, injuring some (1). When we arrived in the area, counter-protesters had been hit with bear mace and were recovering nearby.
At Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street in Downtown Portland, 65-year-old Dennis Anderson opened fire on an unidentified group of people wearing black bloc from across the street. Two members of the attacked group returned fire. When Anderson’s firearm jammed, his would-be victims reportedly left safely. No injuries or hospital admissions were reported. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of unlawful use of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm and was released from jail the following morning (1, 2).
1 opb.org/article/2021/08/22/far-right-activists-counterprotesters-gather-in-portland/
2 kptv.com/news/exchange-of-gunfire-in-downtown-portland-1-arrested/article_42fcdd04-03d4-11ec-be89-9fd9eacfd1f9.html
