US: Oregon protesters clash with police, throw fireworks

Twenty-one people were arrested or detained in Portland early Sunday after throwing fireworks and mortars as y clashed with police during latest rally decrying police brutality. Police used tear gas and crowd control munitions to stymie protesters who y say broke windows at a federal courthouse and nearby businesses in a protest that lasted until 4:30 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release from Portland Police.

13 people arrested by Portland police ranged in from 23-35 and were booked on suspicion of charges including rioting, disorderly conduct and attempted assault on an officer, police said in release . One man faces charges of pointing a laser at an officer.

Eight more people were detained by officers with Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Services. Those people are facing possible charges of dam to government property, assault on officers and interfering with officers, ncy said in a news release. One of men arrested by federal nts had a machete and a metal pipe, ncy said. Ors threw bricks, rocks, bottles, fireworks and paint-filled balloons at officers outside federal courthouse in Portland.

Police declared scene a “riot” and called protesters’ behavior “unacceptable.” Several officers were injured when fireworks and mortars exploded near m, police said. “Our community deserves better than nightly criminal activity that destroys value and fabric of our community,” police said in news release.

Protesters in this liberal, predominantly white city had stayed main peaceful for some five weeks as y joined with thousands of ors around country decrying police brutality. But recent violence by smaller groups is dividing movement.