2 far-right group members arrested after allegedly attacking BLM protesters
Two men, members of a far-right group, are arrested after supporters of President Donald Trump clash with Black Lives Matter protesters.
Labor Day weekend demonstrations turned violent in Salem, Oregon as members supporting different causes collided, resulting in two arrests.
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The Associated Press reports, supporters of President Donald Trump and Proud Boys members charged at counterprotesters representing Black Lives Matter at the west-coast capital. Hundreds gathered at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City for a vehicle rally which led to conflict.
Cars, trucks, and vans sporting flags for Trump, the QAnon conspiracy theory, and in support of police drove toward Salem, with members of the moving rally dropping off before reaching the city, according to AP.
A smaller group of Proud Boys members continued on, meeting Trump supporters already convened. AP reports the right-wing group confronted the BLM demonstrators with paint-gun pellets and unfolded an American flag on the steps of the state capitol building.
Read More: Oregon attorney general sues federal agencies after protest arrests
After displaying the flag, the right-wing demonstrators led another charge against BLM protesters, police stepped in, and arrested two members of the Proud Boys. The New York Post reports one Trump supporter was armed with a baseball bat and another with a fire extinguisher. The outlet claims witnesses say Oregon State Police initially stood by allowing the violence to take place before tackling and arresting the two men.
According to The Post, the two unnamed men were arrested on misdemeanor assault charges and released. Their arrests were not the only to stem from politically charged demonstrations in the state over the Labor Day Weekend.
CNN reports over 50 arrests were made as fires were set during a protest on September 5 in Portland. Another 15 people were taken into custody the next day on Sunday night after activists marched to the North Precinct Community Policing Center.
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