Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Maquita Peters, NPR

Trump supporters and counter-protesters collide in Portland, Ore.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Thousands of protesters gather in Portland, Ore., Sunday, for competing rallies following last month's fatal stabbing of two men on a light-rail train by a man police say was shouting anti-Muslim slurs.
Thousands of protesters gather in Portland, Ore., Sunday, for competing rallies following last month's fatal stabbing of two men on a light-rail train by a man police say was shouting anti-Muslim slurs.
Kristena Hansen

Riot police descended in downtown Portland, Ore., Sunday to bring calm among thousands of demonstrators who converged for competing rallies in the wake of the racially charged stabbing that claimed the lives of two men.

Crowds who gathered in a public square near City Hall for a midday Trump Free Speech Rally, organized by a conservative group called Patriot Prayer, encountered a larger throng of counter-protesters led by immigrant rights, religious and labor groups, who occupied the nearby park.

According to The Associated Press, the pro-Donald Trump group "chanted 'USA' and held banners in support of President Donald Trump," while the counter-protesters drummed, played music and held signs, including, "Our city is greater than hate" and "Black lives matter."

"Some chanted 'love, not hate' and 'Go home, fascists,'" the AP says.

Helmeted police officers stood guard, trying desperately to keep the two competing groups from colliding, using yellow crime tape to help set lines of separation. Police even responded by "firing volleys of pepper ball rounds," Reuters reports.

Despite these efforts, tempers flared among the protesters igniting physical confrontations. Some of the violence was even directed toward the officers, according to a tweet from Portland Police: "Bricks, mortars (not motors), other projectiles were thrown at officers from Chapman Square crowd."

Police reported at least 14 arrests and confiscated various weapons.

Tension had been brewing in Portland following the fatal stabbing of two men on the light-rail train Friday, May 26. Ricky John Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, were killed when they intervened to stop a man from verbally abusing two young women, one wearing a hijab. A third man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, was injured.

Police have charged 35-year-old Jeremy Joseph Christian of North Portland in connection with those crimes. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.