Portland protests: Fresh violence as demonstrators clash with federal officers

A protester waves an American flag while walking through tear gas fired by federal officers during a protest in front of the Mark O Hatfield US Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, 21 July 2020Getty Images

A protester waves the American flag while walking through tear gas fired by federal law enforcement officers outside a courthouse in Portland

The US city of Portland has seen another night of clashes between demonstrators and federal law enforcement officers sent by President Donald Trump to end almost two months of anti-racism protests there.

Police in Portland, Oregon, said federal officers fired tear gas to disperse a large crowd of protesters - some armed with hammers - who had gathered outside a courthouse and were throwing projectiles.

There have been nightly rallies in the city since the death of George Floyd in police custody in May, but clashes have escalated in recent days.

Mr Trump's decision to send federal law enforcement agents to protect government buildings in Portland has been deeply controversial. The Democratic governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, has demanded their withdrawal.

Two protesters flee through tear gas after federal officers dispersed a crowd of about a thousand at a courthouse in Portland, 21 July 2020Getty Images

Two protesters - one in a mask - leave the area near a courthouse after the street was filled with tear gas

Federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, face off with protesters in PortlandReuters

The federal agents were deployed to Portland under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect monuments and buildings

A demonstrator with a bicycle moves past a gas canister in the road near the courthouse in PortlandGetty Images

A demonstrator with a bicycle passes a gas canister in the road as people are forced away from the courthouse

Demonstrators try to break into a federal building during a protest against racial inequality, police violence, and the presence of federal law enforcement officers, Portland, OregonReuters

A demonstrator climbs a federal building during protests in Portland against racial inequality, police violence, and the presence of federal law enforcement officers

A shield line, made up of protesters with umbrellas and trash cans, advances on federal officers during a protest in front of the courthouse, 21 July 2020Getty Images

Protesters form a line holding umbrellas used to shield them from gas cannisters as they move towards federal officers

As part of a peaceful demonstration in the city on Monday evening, thousands of protesters walked through the streets holding aloft lit mobile phonesReuters

As part of a peaceful demonstration in the city on Monday evening, thousands of protesters walked through the streets holding aloft lit mobile phones

Hundreds of women marched in Portland with raised fists to raise awareness of racial inequalityReuters

Women marched in Portland with raised fists to raise awareness of racial inequality in support of the Black Lives Matter movement

The presence of federal law enforcement officers on the streets of Portland to control the protesters is deeply controversialGetty Images

The presence of federal law enforcement officers on the streets of Portland to control the protesters is deeply controversial

A federal officer with a handheld device attempts to disperse a large crowd 20, July 2020Getty Images

Federal officers attempted to disperse crowds as they started to gather earlier in the evening on Monday

line

More about the Portland protests

Portland protests: Calls for federal troops to leave US city

All images are subject to copyright.

More on this story