Radical group ANTIFA went on the attack Saturday in Portland, Oregon, where they assaulted conservative journalist Andy Ngo, and according to police, may have thrown “milkshakes” at him (and others) laced with cement.
Fox News reported that Some of the demonstrators turned violent, throwing milkshakes said to be mixed with quick-drying cement, raw eggs and pepper spray. The gatherings were deemed “civil disturbance and unlawful assembly” by the Portland Police Bureau and the perpetrators were believed to include members of both sides.
Watched the video:
First skirmish I’ve seen. Didn’t see how this started, but @MrAndyNgo got roughed up. pic.twitter.com/hDkfQchRhG
— Jim Ryan (@Jimryan015) June 29, 2019
Ngo was taken to the emergency room after the attack. He tweeted out these pictures on Saturday night.
In the ER. pic.twitter.com/spe5N4nzVl
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 29, 2019
Portland police, who declined to intervene and help Ngo during the beating, later tweeted out that they received information that the milkshakes being thrown by ANTIFA were laced with quick-drying cement.
Police have received information that some of the milkshakes thrown today during the demonstration contained quick-drying cement. We are encouraging anyone hit with a substance today to report it to police.
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 29, 2019
The Mayor of Portland put out this controversial statement after viewing the footage of the Ngo attack.
Portland mayor @tedwheeler’s response to the ANTIFA beatdown of journo Andy Ngo: “I was appalled by what I saw in the video, but I support the Portland Police Bureau’s decision not to intervene.”
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Portland is officially a "no-go zone."
— Amy (@RightHookUSA) June 29, 2019
Senator Ted Cruz responded, calling out Vox journalist Carlos Maza for inciting “milkshake” violence against conservatives.
Troubling, if true. Should “journalists” be inciting physical violence against those with whom they disagree? Calling for assaults with milkshakes apparently laced with quick-dry cement? Is that consistent with journalistic ethics or responsibility? Or the criminal code? https://t.co/A07icUZYGM
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 30, 2019
Some Twitter users believe this video shows ANTIFA handing out the “cement” milkshakes.
Hey @PortlandPolice you made a tweet stating that the milkshakes thrown today were laced with quick drying cement… here is video of the people handing them out. pic.twitter.com/Arnf1Zx0lp
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) June 30, 2019
OANN reporter Jack Posobiec offered this image, wondering if the contents in the container could be the quick-drying cement.
Is this the quick-dry cement being mixed into milkshakes by Antifa? pic.twitter.com/lcjQDey8F3
— El Poso (@JackPosobiec) June 30, 2019
Youtube commentator Tim Pool pointed out how dangerous cement can be when it comes in contact with skin.
Cement can cause chemical burns
Lol its just milkshakes tho amirite??????
These people are violent psychopaths https://t.co/Sby3pR3qSA
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) June 29, 2019
Police declared a civil disturbance in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday afternoon, after a day of duelling political protests culminated in brawls and standoffs between demonstrators and law enforcement.
By 3pm more than 400 leftwing marchers had blocked traffic in parts of downtown. Demonstrators occupied streets adjacent to Pioneer Courthouse Square, where police repeatedly warned them to disperse. Some were involved in altercations with officers in riot gear who deployed pepper spray and made three arrests. Others clashed intermittently with rightwing protesters.
The leftwing march evolved from an early afternoon rally in a downtown park organized as a counter-protest to two rightwing events. The rally organized by local group PopMob began as a vegan milkshake-themed rally and dance party, in response to rallies announced by the Proud Boys and by a group led by Haley Adams, a local rightwing figure. Adams’ event attracted around 25 people.
Milkshakes, recently used around the world as a symbolic weapon against prominent figures on the far right, became a theme of the day. Portland police claimed without offering evidence that some milkshake cups had been filled with quick-drying cement.
Actual milkshakes were used by leftwing protesters. A videographer and editor for the rightwing magazine Quillette, Andy Ngo, had one dumped on him early in the day.
Another incident involving Ngo captured attention, particularly on the right. Widely shared video taken by the Oregonian journalist Jim Ryan appeared to show Ngo being hit by counter-protesters and sprayed with silly string. Ryan tweeted: “Didn’t see how this started, but Ngo got roughed up.”
Ngo said he had been attacked and hospitalised, and posted to social mediapictures of apparent facial abrasions. With significant backing from rightwing media and political figures, by late Saturday a crowdfunding website for Ngo had raised more than $60,000.