The city of Portland has witnessed nightly protests for 56 consecutive days, and the violence at these protests has only intensified. On Friday night, six federal officers were injured, with one officer sustaining a concussion and another hospitalized for burns from a mortar blast, Townhall's Julio Rosas reported.
Deputies with the U.S. Marshals and officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Protective Service have been working hard to protect the Hatfield Federal Courthouse on a nightly basis. Federal officers have established a perimeter fence that rioters are attempting to break through.
This looks like something from a zombie film.
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 25, 2020
Rioters keep returning to the barrier protecting the federal courthouse after tear gas is cleared. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/3hn22qm5hr
On Friday night, protesters shined laser beams into the eyes of federal officers, known to cause permanent blindness, threw explosives at federal officers, and used ropes and a circular saw in an attempt to break through the fencing protecting the courthouse. Journalist Drew Hernandez captured some of the tense moments.
Federal police have declared unlawful assembly after rioters attempt to poll fence down yet again pic.twitter.com/ulMSTbhzQO
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
Rioters continuing to antagonize and attempt to blind federal officers with lasers pic.twitter.com/H2CO8SRb1a
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
Rioters continue to throw explosive projectiles at federal officers
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
This is a tactic they use to bait the federal police to retaliate
So when you see the police respond with tear gas and force
This is why pic.twitter.com/Zh45tVec3c
Some Antifa laser pointers that attempt to blind federal officers position themselves on the corner of Main Street and 3rd ave
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
Up against the justice center wall facing the Park pic.twitter.com/W7PhzHhdH3
Rioters continue to target federal officers eyes with high powered lasers pic.twitter.com/joi3MgVIuO
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
Rioters cutting fencing with a powered saw at courthouse in Portland @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/7iSgOe4q6b
— Drew Hernandez (@livesmattershow) July 25, 2020
The Justice Department announced various charges, including assaulting a federal officer and arson, against 18 individuals who participated in attacks on the courthouse over the past week. But more charges are overdue following the violence that took place on Friday and the violence expected over the weekend.