Proud Boys clash with police at anti-lockdown protest in Oregon

After assuming all police officers are their sworn allies, the Proud Boys of Salem, Or. found out the hard way that the police were never their true friends.

On Friday (Jan. 1), the Proud Boys attended a pro-Trump protest, which was created in an effort to protest coronavirus restrictions. At one point during the demonstration, protesters made their way to Mahonia Hall, which is the state governor Kate Brown’s official residence. Shortly afterward, the Proud Boys were spotted yelling at counter-protesters. That’s when the police had to get involved. Videos from the scene of the “Mass Civil Disobedience” rally show members of the Proud Boys clashing with riot police.

Despite their efforts to challenge the police, some Proud Boys members were arrested for unlawful assembly. In one video, we can see police placing men wearing Proud Boy logos under arrest by using zip-ties. In another video, we see the Proud Boys being shot at with rubber sting balls and tear gas. The crowd, which consisted of both conservative protesters and members of the right-wing group, began to denounce the police by screaming disparaging chants like “Fuck the blue” — a complete 180 from their stance during last year’s protests.

The police’s melee with the Proud Boys comes after two days full of violent demonstrations that have unfolded in Portland. After protesters damaged property and clashed with police all over the city, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler came forward to promise a more tough response to repeat offenders who continue to vandalize federal property.

“We need more accountability and we need to hold people responsible for their criminal conduct,” the mayor said according to The Oregonian. Mayor Wheeler plans to meet with state and local law enforcement to determine the best way to respond to “anarchist violence” in Portland. He suggests that Portland may need legislators to alter state laws to allow increased city surveillance.