Protesters march against Biden in Portland

A group of protesters carrying placards against President Joe Biden and police marched through the streets of Portland on Wednesday and caused damage to the Democratic Party headquarters in Oregon.

Police reported that the group smashed windows and spray-painted anarchist symbols on the political party building. It was one of at least four groups planning to gather in the city on the day of Biden’s investiture.

Police officers mounted on bicycles rushed into the crowd to contact a person carrying a gun and to remove sticks attached to a banner that they thought could be used as a weapon. Police said the crowd crowded around officers and threw objects at them.

Portland has been the scene of frequent protests since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in May in Minneapolis. During the summer, there were demonstrations for more than 100 days in a row.

Mayor Ted Wheeler recently criticized what he described as a segment of violent agitators diverting the message of police accountability and noted that they should be subject to more severe punishment.