Police Clash With Trump-Supporting Proud Boys in Salem, Oregon, Arrests Made

Members of the far-right group the Proud Boys clashed with police in Salem, Oregon during New Year's Day protests on Friday, ending in some arrests.

As the Statesman Journal reported, President Donald Trump supporters gathered at the state capitol for a "Mass Civil Disobedience" rally, mainly protesting COVID-19 restrictions. During the rally, a few hundred protesters began to march to Mahonia Hall, Governor Kate Brown's official residence. Counter-protests from antifa also followed.

Salem Police Lt. Debbie Aguilar told Statesman Journal that several arrests were made. It was also reported that chemical munitions were used by protesters against police, including a smoke canister and lit fireworks.

Videos shared by independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager show protesters wearing Proud Boy logos and yelling at counter-protesters. One of the videos shows police zip-tying a protester's hands behind his back, saying that police were arresting Trump supporters for "unlawful assembly."

Additional footage shows police ordering protesters to leave. "You're all commanded to disperse from this location immediately. If you do not disperse immediately, you will be subject to arrest," someone can be heard saying.

WARNING: Video footage below contains disturbing scenes and strong language.

One of the videos Gutenschwager shared appears to show the smoke canister that police were referring to. In his description, Gutenschwager wrote that the canister was an attempt to "disperse the crowd of Proud Boys and Trump supporters," but someone in a black sweatshirt with a bandana tied around his face throws it towards police.

Police used nonlethal munitions, such as flashbangs to disperse crowds, according to Statesman Journal. The Salem Police Twitter account warned protesters that munitions may be used and arrests would be made, but later tweeted that it did not use CS gas.

Some videos show Proud Boys getting into squabbles with police. As police push the protesters back, one person can be heard yelling "you're f****** antifa" at the police in one video.

Due to the pushback from the police on Friday, a few of the protesters seemed to retract support that they'd previously given to the authorities, as many people criticized police nationwide following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

One video appears to show right- and left-wing supporters, as described in a tweet, stepping on a Blue Lives Matter flag following the police breaking up the protests.

"I've been there for you all f****** summer. F*** you," a protester can be heard saying.

Additional footage show police bearing the further brunt of criticism when someone remarks: "We showed up for you 10 f****** months in a row."

Newsweek reached out to the Salem Police Department for comment.