Portland Protest Sparks Violence Between Patriot Prayer and Antifa

by Alex Gaub · August 10, 2018

A counter-protester hurls insults at a police officer.

Police in riot gear. Protesters and counter-protesters in body armor. Flashbangs and pepper spray. On a sunny Saturday in Portland this is becoming an all too frequent scene.

On Aug. 4 a rally was held in downtown to show support for the leader of an alt-right group known as Patriot Prayer. Joey Gibson is running for a Senate seat in the state of Washington. Drawing support for his candidacy, Gibson attracts white nationalists and other alt-right groups such as The Proud Boys. His rally was met with resistance in the form of a large group of protesters who gathered to support Antifa or the anti-fascist movement.

: John Turano dons spartan armour in support of the far-right rally in the Portland Waterfront Park on Aug. 4. Turano is known as the “Based Spartan,” and has been a supporter of the “alt-right” movement until recently, now citing his participation as “a horrible mistake.”

: John Turano dons spartan armour in support of the far-right rally in the Portland Waterfront Park on Aug. 4. Turano is known as the “Based Spartan,” and has been a supporter of the “alt-right” movement until recently, now citing his participation as “a horrible mistake.”

: Supporters of Joey Gibson, candidate for senate and founder of alt-right group Patriot Prayer, hold picket signs during a rally in Portland. Patriot Prayer rallies are known for attracting white nationalists.

: Supporters of Joey Gibson, candidate for senate and founder of alt-right group Patriot Prayer, hold picket signs during a rally in Portland. Patriot Prayer rallies are known for attracting white nationalists.

: Law Enforcement form a barrier between protesters and counter-protesters.

: Law Enforcement form a barrier between protesters and counter-protesters.

: Olivia Smith of the Democratic Socialist of America- Portland leads chants in support of counter-protesters.

: Olivia Smith of the Democratic Socialist of America- Portland leads chants in support of counter-protesters.

: A masked counter-protester in support of the anti-fascist movement stands in front of a wall of shields. Antifa is a loose coalition of far-left groups across the world who use direct action to confront far-right activism.

: A masked counter-protester in support of the anti-fascist movement stands in front of a wall of shields. Antifa is a loose coalition of far-left groups across the world who use direct action to confront far-right activism.