All week long, Antifa in Portland have been rampaging over President Donald Trump retaking the White House. In response to Trump's inauguration, Antifa militants attacked an ICE facility, smashed up an elections office, and vandalized downtown Portland businesses.
However, how local media covered the multi-day uprising would have you believe it was a "mostly peaceful" protest that got a little too "intense."
"The united calls for justice continued for hours, but then a march broke out, which led the protest to change from peaceful to intense," FOX 12 Oregon journalist Mikhala Armstrong said in a news segment reporting on an overnight anti-Trump rally Tuesday that preceded widespread destruction of property.
This is how the local Portland media reported on the Antifa criminal direct action overnight at an anti-Trump rally.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 22, 2025
“It went from peaceful to intense.” https://t.co/kAHCmOiS9K pic.twitter.com/j2oUsCXtCz
"But many remained marching, making sure they would not be deterred from their goal to let their voice be heard," the on-the-ground reporter said of the so-called "People's Inauguration Day demonstration."
Portland-based KGW-8, an NBC affiliate, said hundreds of rallygoers "gathered to lift each other up and prepare for the next four years." This night was about "empowering people who need hope," "building community," and "coming together," the TV station reported.
At least five Antifa riot suspects were arrested that night for criminal activity, according to a Portland Police Bureau (PPB) press release.
PPB released photos of the weapons seized and tools they used to vandalize property along the march's route. Per photographic evidence, the mob of masked militants carried cans of bear spray, fireworks to set off, spray paint, walkie-talkies for coordination, and Antifa propaganda, including a pamphlet that read "Life without law: An introduction to anarchist politics" and a sticker that said "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA." Authorities found another agitprop booklet, which argued that the state is illegitimate and progress can only be achieved through violent action. Others brought paraphernalia opposing Elon Musk.
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News Release:
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) January 22, 2025
Vandalism During Downtown Rally and March Leads to Arrests
Multiple criminal suspects were arrested and paint cans were seized after acts of vandalism took place during a downtown rally and march. https://t.co/nAoo6ZAX8z pic.twitter.com/msOLgp7jAW
According to investigative journalist Andy Ngo, the Antifa agitators were well organized, with teams on foot and bicycles acting as onlookers and unlawfully halting traffic. Ngo said they tried to incite the mob to smash windows and start fires, as Antifa did during the George Floyd riots in 2020.
Oregon State Police arrested 19-year-old Alistair Macfarlane Sidener, who was charged with resisting arrest and second-degree criminal mischief; 31-year-old Harmoney Rose Adcox, who was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with a peace officer; and 21-year-old William John Leahy, who was charged with resisting arrest, interfering with a peace officer, and second-degree disorderly conduct.
Portland police apprehended two others: 22-year-old Julia Jacobson, who was charged with attempted aggravated harassment, unlawful applying of graffiti, and second-degree trespassing, and 29-year-old Andrew S. Bolen, who was charged with possessing graffiti implements and second-degree criminal mischief.
Exclusive reporting: Five Antifa riot suspects were arrested at the criminal direct action in Portland, Ore. on Jan. 21 after the extremist anti-Trump rally. The militants shut down the roads and began vandalizing property.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 22, 2025
Harmony Adcox, 31, was charged with resisting arrest… pic.twitter.com/RCJHxFGAgs
The @PortlandPolice has released photos of the evidence seized from the violent suspects at the Antifa riot on Jan. 21 in downtown. Antifa came with masks, bear spray weapons, spray paint, walkie-talkies and other tools. Crucially, they also brought along their Antifa propaganda.… pic.twitter.com/BQP6JnqryE
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 22, 2025
Some of the suspects left behind their belongings while trying to escape. Independent videographer Brandon Farley documented the remains, including bipolar medication, names of comrades, and strategic notes for planning purposes.
Hey, Harmony Adcox! You dropped all your Bipolar Meds, lol. And it looks like you're on your Last Refill.https://t.co/MCWD95yID9 pic.twitter.com/ouQqfpZGAm
— Brandon Farley (@TheRealFarley) January 22, 2025
Antifa shutting down the streets of downtown Portland marked their third act of far-left violence over Trump's inauguration.
According to Ngo, on Inauguration Day, Antifa launched an attack on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Portland to retaliate against the Trump administration's mass deportation operations and crackdown on illegal immigration. Donning black bloc, around 15 to 20 extremists brought tinder to set on fire, squared off with Homeland Security officers guarding the federal facility, and defaced the building's exterior.
Violent extremist Portland Antifa member Elizabeth Richter @inlovewthemooon, who I sued in my Ngo v. Rose City Antifa et al., lawsuit, promoted the violent direct action. Around 15 of them in black bloc attacked the @ICEgov facility that was closed for MLK Jr. Day.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 21, 2025
Richter was… pic.twitter.com/DE12cgAlkM
Around 15–20 Antifa militants vandalized and tried to attack the @ICEgov facility in Portland on Jan. 20. They brought tinder cardboard onto the property to start fires. They harassed federal @DHSgov officers protecting the building.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 22, 2025
Some of the people involved in the 2020… pic.twitter.com/TTKMi4mVGA
Antifa also targeted the Multnomah County Elections Office. In an orchestrated attack, masked and hooded radicals shattered dozens of the local election center's windows, smashed two doors with rocks, and left anti-government graffiti as well as anarchy symbols.
Breaking: Footage has been released of the violent Jan. 20 Inauguration Day Antifa attack on the Multnomah County Elections Office in Portland, Ore. The story has received little media attention despite the literal attack on democracy.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 23, 2025
8–10 masked militants, wearing non-black… pic.twitter.com/biYTKZi6Kc
PPB Chief Bob Day dismissed the idea that the vandalism was tied in any way to Trump's inauguration.
"At this point, we are not suggesting that this was directly related to the inauguration," the Portland police chief told reporters. "It’s important to remember that we have seen these types of attacks regardless of who's in office."
Insisting there's no reason to believe that the latest attacks are anti-Trump in nature, Day said, "I think it's important to remember that we have seen these types of attacks regardless of who's in office. It does not tend to be so much associated with the ruling party as much as it has to do with an ideological belief around government and establishment in general."
No immediate arrests were made. Portland police are still searching for suspects.
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