On Tuesday night, a large crowd gathered outside the Multnomah Building in Southeast Portland. Shortly after arriving, individuals in the crowd began vandalizing the county building, repeatedly throwing rocks and smashing glass windows and doors. Individuals set several small fires and poured lighter fluid into a first floor office. Around 10:20 p.m., an individual was seen on a livestream heaving a large pile of burning material onto a desk inside the building. Portland Police swiftly responded and declared the gathering a riot.
“The unprovoked actions by those who engaged in criminal behavior is reprehensible,” Sheriff Mike Reese said. “It is simply violence and serves no legitimate purpose. It does nothing to solve the issues our community faces.”