Portland protests: Group takes down Lincoln, Roosevelt statues
A social media post announcing the event called for an end of colonialism and the abolishment of police.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Police declared a riot in downtown Portland on Sunday night after a large group of about 300 people marched through the South Park Blocks, toppling statues of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt and breaking windows.
The group also broke windows and threw flares into the Oregon Historical Society. Someone stole an Afro-American Heritage Bicentennial Commemorative Quilt, which was made by 15 local Black women ahead of the bicentennial and was on display inside the museum. Officers found the quilt blocks away, soaking wet with a small tear.
Members of the group also damaged multiple small businesses, including several restaurants, a jewelry store, a coffee shop and a bank. Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said shots were fired into Heroes American Café.
Portland police made three targeted arrests Sunday night and Lovell said more arrests may be forthcoming as police continue to investigate. Portland police released the following information about Sunday’s arrests.
- Malik Muhamad, 23, of Portland: First-degree criminal mischief (6 counts); riot; unlawful possession of a firearm; possession of a loaded firearm in public
- Justin Bowen, 25, of Portland: Fourth-degree assault (2 counts); unlawful use of pepper spray
- Brandon Bartells, 38, of Washington: First-degree criminal mischief; reckless endangering
“We are five months into this and we still have a fairly high level of violence taking place,” he said. “We need to all come together and be mindful of what we want as a city and what we’re willing to tolerate.
“These events late at night, they purport to have a racial justice nexus. But they’re not that. They’re about violence and criminal destruction. They’re really hurting our community and we all deserve better.”
Portland protesters topple statues of Lincoln, Roosevelt


Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler condemned the actions of the group on Monday morning during a press conference with Lovell.
“These acts are obscene,” Wheeler said. He said it was “deeply troubling” to see the group attack the Oregon Historical Society, which he said has “gone out of its way to reflect the truth of Oregon history and educate the public about all aspects of Oregon history, the good, the bad and the ugly.”
“It’s ironic that this was the institution that was chosen to be attacked by this anarchist behavior,” Wheeler said.
RELATED: ‘These acts are obscene’: Portland mayor condemns violence, destruction at late-night protests
Earlier Monday, Portland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone also spoke out against Sunday night’s violence and destruction.
“Public access to art is vital to our city’s cultural fabric,” she said in a statement. “I condemn all acts of violence and destruction, especially those targeting public