“Why would a group of largely white, young and some middle age men destroy the livelihood of others who are struggling to get by?” Mayor Ted Wheeler asked.
Portland police had agreed not to force the family to leave the “Red House on Mississippi” while negotiations were ongoing — as long as the street was cleared by Monday night.
Occupiers appear determined to hold the police at bay, stockpiling homemade shields and other defensive gear. They have piled up rocks and bricks, and they’ve laid down homemade spike strips to puncture the tires of any vehicles that breach the barricades.
The fire was arson and burned a vehicle, according to a spokesman for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Police Chief Peter Newsham said as opposing groups faced off, “police officers ran and placed themselves between them,” which he said he believed “prevented a much worse outcome.”
Law enforcement said they had also seized commercial-grade fireworks and hammers throughout the night.
Federal and other government buildings have been closed and some boarded up in downtown Louisville.
"When state and local leaders impede their own law enforcement officers and agencies from doing their jobs, it endangers innocent citizens who deserve to be protected, including those who are trying to peacefully assemble and protest," Attorney General William Barr said in a statement.
On Monday, Portland police said 29 people were arrested overnight after taking part in an unlawful gathering in northeast Portland where rocks and eggs were thrown at officers.
“We’re getting banged up,” he said. “We’ve had some broken hands, broken wrists, broken foot, stuff like that, some concussions.”