US Protesters Clash with Police at Racial Justice Rally in Springfield (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - At least two protester was arrested at a Black Lives Matter rally in Springfield, Oregon on Wednesday.
The march started at Jessie Memorial Park with about 200 gathering. While it was peaceful, the Eugene Register Guard reports neighbors who were concerned about riots and Antifa arrived, leading to tense conversations, MSN reporetd.
Protesters marched through the Thurston neighborhood for about 30 minutes. When the march reached the police barricade, that's when tensions quickly rose. The Register Guard reports that a half-hour standoff ensued that included chants of "peaceful protest" on one side and threats of arrests on the other.
Police finally pushed through the barricade, according to the Register Guard, and began grappling with protesters and wrestled some to the ground.
At least two people were seen taken into custody. The Register Guard reports a "prominent protest leader" was arrested and some people were injured.
When the protesters turned around and went back to Jessie Memorial Park, they were confronted by counter-protesters, some of whom accused the protesters of being Antifa. Social media videos showed people on both sides trading words.
The arguing between protesters and residents continued until about 10 p.m. when police arrived to usher cars out of the area, the Register Guard reported.