Officials report more violent protests in Portland, federal forces protect U.S. courthouse

Portland police on Monday reported more violent demonstrations including protesters starting a fire outside a federal courthouse and clashing with federal forces.

The crowd was reportedly dispersed with tear gas. Portland police said officers did not engage with the crowd. The federal authorities periodically came out of the courthouse to keep away demonstrators, according to the Associated Press.

Portland has been the site of ongoing violent protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police. Federal forces are now responding, to the objection of some Americans.

Overnight Monday, video posted online shows protesters taking down fencing that had surrounded the courthouse. 

“Dozens of people with shields, helmets, gas masks, umbrellas, bats, and hockey sticks approached the doors” before federal law enforcement came out and dispersed the crowd,” police said, according to the wire service.