Wall of Vets angered by the brutal beating of a Navy veteran in Portland joins forces with the Wall of Moms and the Wall of Dads to defy federal forces on 58th day of unrest in the city
Tensions continued to boil over in Portland Friday night as a new 'Wall of Vets' joined the Wall of Moms and Wall of Dads to 'protect' Black Lives Matter protesters from the federal agents that have been deployed to the city under the president's orders.
Protests entered their 58th night Friday, with about 4,000 gathering at the federal courthouse and Justice Center chanting 'feds go home' and 'black lives matter'.
Chaos later erupted when demonstrators set off fireworks and federal agents hurled tear gas into the crowds.
The 'Wall of Vets' group appeared at the demonstration for the first time, alongside the yellow-clad 'Wall of Moms' who have gathered every night this week.
The Vets said they decided to take action after shocking footage emerged showing federal agents tear gassing and beating Navy veteran Christopher David, 53, last weekend.
Tensions continued to boil over in Portland Friday night as a new 'Wall of Vets' (pictured) joined the Wall of Moms and Wall of Dads to protect Black Lives Matter protesters from the federal agents that have descended on the city under the president's orders
A new 'wall' of protesters joined Friday night - a group of military veterans who set up in front of the federal courthouse alongside the yellow-clad parents who have gathered every night this week
Marine Corps veteran Duston Obermeyer, 42, told DailyMail.com he formed 30-strong 'Wall of Vets' after David was 'attacked' by federal agents.
‘The group of veterans came together after we saw what happened to fellow veteran Chris David last week while protesting,' he said.
‘We formed the group via Twitter and we are out here tonight to show support. We took an oath when we joined the military to defend the US Constitution,' he said.
‘We stand in solidarity with the protesters tonight.'
Federal law enforcement agents have been deployed to the city by President Trump to 'restore order' after almost two months of nightly protests - despite objections by city and state officials.
On Friday a US judge denied an order sought by Oregon's top law enforcement officer to stop Trump's men arresting demonstrators in the city.
Oregon officials are demanding federal agents leave Portland, with two members of the House of Representatives calling for the immediate resignation of Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf while several members of Congress wrote to him demanding to know why agents have also moved in to Seattle.
This came as Trump continued on his law and order warned he was 'sending people to New York' after troops have already been drafted in to Portland, Chicago, Seattle and Albuquerque. On Thursday he said that 60,000 troops are 'ready' to head to cities across the country.
The Vets said they had gathered after footage emerged showing federal agents tear gassing and beating with a baton a Navy veteran
Protests entered their 58th night Friday, with thousands of protesters gathering at the federal courthouse and Justice Center chanting 'feds go home'
Demonstrators gathered during a protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland for the 58th night Friday
Thousands of protesters gathered at the federal courthouse and Justice Center chanting 'feds go home' and holding BLM banners
The message 'Stop disappearing people' and a projection of George Floyd's face were projected onto the side of the Justice Center
The Wall of Moms came out in force again Friday night linking arms in their signature yellow t-shirts
Portland has become the scene of a controversial crackdown by federal agents, sent in by Donald Trump to stop protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality.
The Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland has been the center point of the demonstrations for the last two months ever since the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Friday's protest grew larger still than the previous night's when peaceful rallies had descended into a bloody showdown between a group of demonstrators and law enforcement.
Fireworks were let off into the night and some demonstrators pushed against the fence protecting the courthouse soon after 11 p.m. local time, while federal agents blasted the crowds with tear gas.
Some protesters were forced to run for cover from the effects of the noxious gas, while others stood their ground on one side of the courthouse fence facing off against the agents on the other side.
Federal police released at least 100 canisters of gas and fired at least 1000 round of pepper balls.
When federal police officers launched a cans of gas into the rowdy crowd on several occasions protesters picked up the live canisters and threw them back over the fence toward the Federal police.
Protesters also used leaf blowers to disperse the fumes.
The 'Wall of Moms' were out in force again Friday, leading the way from the rally site to the Justice Center along with about 50 medical professionals dressed in blue scrubs.
They headed for the federal courthouse where city workers had been seen earlier in the day setting up wire screened fencing to reinforce the barrier in preparation for the night’s protest.
They were joined for the first time by the Wall of Vets, set up after Navy veteran Christopher David was brutally hit with a baton by federal agents at a protest last week.
David was seen on camera calmly approaching the officers and asking them if they thought their actions violated the US Constitution, before he was hit on the hand with a baton and tear gassed at close range.
The horrific encounter sparked outrage and led to the group of veterans forming and joining the current 'walls' already occupying the site.
Some demonstrators pushed against the fence protecting the courthouse soon after 11 p.m. local time and fireworks were let off, while federal agents started blasting the crowds with tear gas
Black Lives Matter demonstrators gather demanding an end to racism and police brutality
Wall of Moms gathered again Friday night linking arms and sporting yellow t-shirts as they joined protesters outside the courthouse
Hours earlier, authorities announced 18 Portland residents have been charged over the violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement this week and a US judge denied an order sought by Oregon's top law enforcement officer to stop Trump's men arresting demonstrators in the city
Protesters held their fists in the air demanding justice and an end to racism and police brutality
Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty speaks to protestors and activists gathered outside of the Justice Center on Friday
Hardesty has this week slammed the feds and accused the mayor of letting them enter the city - something she later apologized for
The Wall of Moms begin their march to the Multnomah County Justice Center from the Portland waterfront
Portland has become the scene of a controversial crackdown by federal agents, sent in by Donald Trump to stop protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality
The group formed a human barricade in solidarity with the Walls of Moms and Dads and vowed to protect the Black Lives Matter protesters from federal agents.
Messages and icons outlining the purpose behind the protests were also projected onto the Justice Center walls as darkness fell.
An image of George Floyd's face reflected on the side of the building while the message 'Stop Disappearing People' was shone in reference to claims feds have dragged protesters off in unmarked vehicles.
Before night fell, at least 500 people gathered at a pre-protest rally at Tom McCall Waterfront park - a few blocks away from the federal courthouse.
At the rally one of the organizers Jahdi Levvi, 31, repeated the group's demands including to defund the Portland Police Department by 50 percent and use the monies to fund black communities, for amnesty for all protesters and to get the federal agents out of Portland.
Medical professionals dressed in blue scrubs take part in the Portland demonstration Friday night
Oregon officials are demanding federal agents leave the city, with two members of the House of Representatives calling for the immediate resignation of Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf
Several members of Congress wrote to Wolf demanding to know why agents have also moved in to Seattle. Pictured protesters outside the courthouse
As tensions bubble in Portland, Trump continued on his law and order rampage Friday as he warned he was 'sending people to New York' after troops have already been drafted in to Portland, Chicago, Seattle and Albuquerque
The sea of yellow Wall of Moms march past the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse Friday night where they form a barricade
Levvi told DailyMail.com the organizers had consulted with several local protesters and some of the leaders of the CHOP movement in Seattle to come up with the demands.
He said that if officials don’t meet all of the demands, they will keep protesting every night until they do.
Local officials have also voiced their demands, with Oregon members of the House of Representatives calling for Chad Wolf to stand down from the helm of the DHS over his handling of the burgeoning crisis and to get the feds out of the city.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer said Friday he sent a letter from him, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and 13 other representatives to Wolf accusing him of abusing his power and position to incite violence against protesters.
In the letter, they blasted Wolf and called for his resignation.
This came after US prosecutors on Friday said 18 people have been arrested and charged over the escalating standoffs that have rocked the city this week.
Five have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest Monday night, ranging from assaulting a federal officer to trespassing on federal property and failing to comply with a lawful order.
Seven were charged over Tuesday night's protest including damaging government property, arson and assaulting federal officers while another six were charged over Wednesday night's protest - all for failing to comply with a lawful order.
They made their first court appearances Friday, as a separate US judge denied efforts by Oregon to limit the power of federal agents in its largest city.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued the Trump administration last week over his law and order push in Portland, alleging federal agents have arrested protesters without probable cause, whisked them away in unmarked cars and used excessive force.
She sought a temporary restraining order to immediately stop federal authorities from arresting people during the nightly protests.
It aimed to prevent injuries by federal agents in upcoming protests.
But US District Court Judge Michael Mosman denied the order Friday saying the state lacked standing to sue on behalf of protesters.
David Morrell, an attorney for the US government, called the motion 'extraordinary' and told the judge in a hearing this week that it was based solely on 'a few threadbare declarations' from witnesses and a Twitter video.
He also blasted the protests as 'dangerous and volatile'.
A family protests together along the Portland waterfront earlier in the night before chaos broke out
Black Lives Matter organizer Teal Lindseth, second from right, leads protestors in chants along the Portland waterfront
The Wall of Moms gather along the Portland waterfront before beginning their march that ended at the courthouse
Black Lives Matter organizer Teal Lindseth, center, prepares to lead protestors in march as the sun went down on the city
'All my homies hate feds' is written across the street from the federal courthouse in downtown Portland
Oregon members of the House of Representatives are demanding Chad Wolf stand down from the helm of the DHS over his handling of the burgeoning crisis as local officials want the feds out of the city
Representatives are accusing DHS Secretary Wolf of abusing his power and position to incite violence against protesters in the city
This comes after federal agents clashed with about 2,000 protesters overnight Thursday, just hours after the Justice Department said it was investigating the use of force during demonstrations.
The clashes erupted around midnight when authorities say some demonstrators tried to kick down the protective steel fence, which is reinforced by a barricade, that separated the protesters from law enforcement.
Protesters targeted the federal courthouse by launching fireworks and hurling trash they had set on fire over the fence.
Federal agents wearing fatigues lobbed tear gas canisters back at demonstrators, used flash bangs and fired pepper balls after declaring the gathering unlawful.
Bloodied protesters, many who were helmeted and wearing face masks, were seen being treated by street medics during the clash.
The clash came soon after the the Justice Department's watchdog said it was investigating the use of force by federal agents in Portland during protests.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz said his office opened the probe after civil unrest escalated in the past week following claims of camouflaged federal agents using force and snatching people from the streets and putting them into unmarked cars.
The Department of Homeland Security, whose law enforcement agents are facing fierce criticism for their actions in Portland, said its internal watchdog was also conducting a probe.
Demonstrators and local officials see the deployment of the agents in Portland as a ploy by Trump to drum up a 'law and order' campaign as he faces an uphill re-election battle.
The Wall of Moms and some of their kids gather along the Portland waterfront before beginning their march
One man holds up a banner reading 'Trump Nazis go to hell' as night fell Friday in the Oregon city
Portland has been rocked by protests for two months but tensions have risen since federal agents entered the city
Protestors burn Oregon Desert Sage as they march to the Justice Center at the start of another night of protests
Officials are pushing back against the federal agents, with a judge granting a temporary restraining order on Thursday that bans them from arresting legal observers and journalists at protests.
While officials and residents want the feds out of Portland concerns are building in other cities where Trump has started sending in the troops.
More federal agents were dispatched to Seattle Friday as Mayor Jenny Durkan blasted Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf saying he misled her about plans.
Durkan said Wolf had assured her the government had no plans to send federal agents to Seattle.
'I don't want to say I was lied to, but I think there was maybe semantics that weren´t forthcoming,' Durkan said Friday.
She said she hoped to prevent Seattle heading the same way as Portland.
'I cannot overstate it enough, what is happening is frightening to me,' Durkan said. 'It is frightening that you would use federal agents for political purposes.'
The agents sent to Seattle are on standby to help other federal law enforcement officials protect federal facilities in the city, according to two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the plans.
They were drafted in after businesses were vandalized in the downtown area and in the nearby Capitol Hill neighborhood.
New York could be next on the list after Trump said Friday he is 'sending people in to New York' in the same way he has sent federal forces to Chicago and Portland.
'You look at what they're doing to cities - every city is run by a liberal Democrat, and they're going to hell,' Trump told Barstool Sports.
'We just sent people in to Chicago. We've sent people in to Portland.
'We're sending people to New York, to help out.'
Trump's comments came 24 hours after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he had received reassurances from the president that federal agents were not being sent.
More federal agents were dispatched to Seattle Friday as Mayor Jenny Durkan (pictured) blasted Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf saying he misled her about plans to send them to the city
Workers clean up the streets of Seattle Thursday after unrest the previous night
Donald Trump spoke to Barstool Sports on Friday night at the White House saying he is 'sending people in to New York' in the same way he has sent federal forces to Chicago and Portland
'He has suggested he would send troops to New York City - troops, federal agents, whatever,' Cuomo said Thursday.
'I don't believe there is any justification in doing that. There are not any federal buildings that need protecting.'
The governor - who has repeatedly clashed with the president amid the coronavirus pandemic - added that sending in federal troops would be 'inflammatory'.
Chicago is also gearing up for a surge of federal agents after Trump threatened to send in the troops to help tackle an uptick in gun violence.
Local officials, however, have warned they would draw the line at any Portland-style deployment.
'We're not going to allow the unconstitutional, state-sanctioned lawlessness we saw brought to Portland here in Chicago,' Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Twitter.
Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Chicago Friday starting from Homan Square - dubbed Freedom Square.
The protest marked the four year anniversary of the occupation at the square outside police headquarters which lasted for 41 days and grew out of solidarity with Ferguson protests in the wake of the police killing of Michael Brown in 2016.
The march came after protesters gathered outside the Chicago mayor's house Thursday night as after she ordered the removal of the city's Christopher Columbus statues - a move critics blasted as bowing to 'violent nihilists' and Italian-Americans branded a 'betrayal'.
Chicago protesters march in the streets of the city Friday night as they gear up for a surge of federal agents
Hundreds walked through Chicago starting from 'Freedom Square' Friday
The protest comes after Trump threatened to send in federal troops to Chicago to help tackle an uptick in gun violence
A crane hoisted the Grant Park statue off its pedestal under cover of darkness early Friday morning, watched by a small crowd who cheered as it was driven away on the back of a truck, while the Little Italy statue also came down.
Meanwhile, Trump on Thursday threatened to send in 60,000 additional federal agents into other American cities facing unrest.
'We'll go into all of the cities, any of the cities. We're ready. We'll put in 50,000, 60,000 people that really know what they're doing,' Trump said in an interview with Sean Hannity.
'And they're strong. They're tough and we can solve those problems so fast.'
Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Chicago Friday starting from Homan Square - dubbed Freedom Square (above)
The protest marked the four year anniversary of the occupation at the square outside police headquarters which lasted for 41 days and grew out of solidarity with Ferguson protests in the wake of the police killing of Michael Brown in 2016
In Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the removal of its Christopher Columbus statues. In the early hours of Friday, crews used a large crane to remove the monument in Grant Park from its pedestal overnight
The Columbus statue in Chicago's Little Italy, already defaced with graffiti, was also removed by the city early on Friday
