A Portland May Day protest Monday turned into a riot as suspects broke business windows, started fires and vandalized vehicles downtown.
Demonstrators participated in a city-permitted march peacefully in the afternoon before protestors dressed in black appeared to start damaging property, The Oregonian reported. The incident led police to declare the march a riot 90 minutes into the event.
May 1 is known in many parts of the world as International Workers' Day, or May Day, a holiday that traditionally celebrates laborers' rights.
The afternoon started with speakers addressing a crowd of about 1,000 people in Shemanski Park, before the march and rioting started. KGW-TV reported that police canceled the march's permit at 4:30 p.m. because of the violence.
"Various fires were set in the street and in garbage cans, a police car was spray-painted and vandalized, and there were attempts to set at least one business on fire," a statement from Portland police said late Monday. "Numerous projectiles were thrown at or launched at police and firefighters including rocks, bottles, ball bearings, fireworks, smoke bombs, and road flares."
Police told the Oregonian that 25 people were arrested in the melee Monday. Charges included disorderly conduct, assaulting a police officer, and interfering with a peace officer.
The Portland Police Bureau said two 17-year-olds and one 14-year-old, whose names were not released, were charged with rioting, noted The Oregonian.
Portland made national headlines last November when violence broke out at rallies after the election of President Donald Trump, USA Today reported. Portland police arrested 71 people on Nov. 12 and another 19 people on Nov. 13 when anti-Trump protests turned violent.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.