Portland Protesters Break Into Police Association HQ Building, Set it on Fire - Video

Portland, a stronghold for anarchist groups and left-wing activists has been subject to protests and riots since the 25 May death of African American man George Floyd while in police custody, with businesses suffering millions of dollars in losses from destroyed property and shoppers who stayed away, according to media reports.

Portland protesters broke into the building of the local Police Association headquarters, setting it on fire late Saturday night, according to police.

✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿"Riot declared at Portland Police Association headquarters as people set union office on fire" https://t.co/iWX3Z5A0qk

— Jayrome (@ChazAustin4) July 19, 2020

​The fire was put out a short time later, according to a police statement on Twitter.

Officers were able to put out the fire inside the PPA office and have restored order in the neighborhood there.

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 19, 2020

Police have declared the gathering a riot and begun working to clear the downtown area.

Portland has been dealing with ongoing anti-police brutality and anti-racism protests and riots since the 25 May death of African American George Floyd while in the custody of white police officers in Minneapolis.

On Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on US President Donald Trump to remove federal troops deployed to the city by the White House to quell ongoing protests, as the agents have reportedly used heavy-handed tactics against protesters, reporters, and legal observers, with some refusing to identify themselves and wearing no identification.