Oath Keepers provided security at Sunday’s free speech event in Portland

By Brian Seay

Conservative protestors recite the national anthem during demonstrations in Portland on Sunday, June 4. (Photo: Jim Urquhart/Reuters)
Members of the armed civilian group known as the Oath Keepers provided security Sunday for a free-speech, pro-Donald Trump rally in Portland.
The group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, told Reuters he called on members to volunteer because a local Republican Party chairman asked for help. Late last month, Multnomah County GOP chair James Buchal said he was considering using the group for security purposes.
Tensions were high, but the dueling demonstrations were largely peaceful. Anti-Trump protesters wearing black and waving an “Antifascist Action” flag yelled “Nazis, go home” at pro-Trump protestors across the street. The pro-Trump demonstrators carried American flags and chanted “USA, USA.”
Police say members of the anti-fascist group started hurling bricks at officers. That prompted police to deploy flash-bang grenades and pepper balls to disperse the crowds. Those gathered at the free speech rally, and a group of counter-protestors were not involved in those clashes, police say.
In all, 14 people were arrested at Sunday’s protests. No one was injured.
The demonstrations came less than two weeks after a man stabbed two men to death on a light rail train in Portland. Police say Jeremy Joseph

Source: Guns.com