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Antifa rioters vandalize Tacoma buildings, start fires after cop ran over one: 'Biden has his work cut out'

The unrest in Tacoma came days after Antifa rioters wreaked havoc in Portand hours after Joe Biden was sworn-in as president

Hundreds of Antifa protesters moved to Tacoma, Washington, after creating chaos in Portland hours after President Joe Biden's inauguration. Over 200 demonstrators reportedly smashed the windows of buildings and set fires in the streets of the city on Sunday, January 24. The Daily Mail reported that the violent group used a barricade and a US flag to start at least two fires. They also broke glasses of a number of local businesses and sprayed graffiti on buildings’ sides.

Last week, Antifa protesters demonstrated in Portland while carrying banners that carried chilling messages that read, “We don't want Biden, we want revenge”. The crowd not only marched down, they also smashed and vandalized the windows of the Democratic Party HQ in the city and threw rocks and eggs at the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement building.

Due to the havoc created by the protesters late on Sunday night, Tacoma police had to declare an “unlawful assembly”. It has been said the demonstrators were marching against the police department after an officer rammed into a crowd of protesters and ran over a man on Saturday, January 23.

The Saturday incident was shared on Twitter by a witness that showed a Tacoma Police vehicle plowing through a group of people. It also showed the SUV running over a person. Reports said the man -- identified as Anthony on the internet -- was rushed to a hospital, however, the level of his injuries was not immediately clear. Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said “everyone involved” in the patrol vehicle case is “held accountable”. Woodards also stated that she is in favor of non-violent and peaceful demonstrations. The mayor went on to say that the cop inside the vehicle was actually saving his life. She added that the group of people started hitting on the windows of the car. While Tacoma Police spokeswoman Wendy Haddow told The News Tribune, “He [cop] was afraid they would break his glass,” which prompted him to flee the scene.

Tacoma Police also released a statement regarding the incident that read, “At approximately 6:19 p.m. this evening, South Sound 911 received numerous reports of an incident occurring at the intersection of South 9th and Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. There were multiple vehicles and approximately 100 people present blocking the intersection when officers arrived on scene. Tacoma Police officers responding to the location began clearing the intersection of vehicles and people for the safety of those gathered and people trying to use the street.

“During the operation, a responding Tacoma police vehicle was surrounded by the crowd. People hit the body of the police vehicle and its windows as the officer was stopped in the street. The officer, fearing for his safety, tried to back up, but was unable to do so because of the crowd. The officer had his lights and sirens activated. While trying to extricate himself from an unsafe position, the officer drove forward striking one individual and may have impacted others. The officer stopped at a point of safety and called for medical aid. One person was transported to an area hospital. That person’s condition is, at this time, unknown. Tacoma Police Department has contacted the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) and turned the investigation over to them to conduct an independent investigation of this incident.”

Interim Police Chief Mike Ake also said in the statement, “I am concerned that our department is experiencing another use of deadly force incident. I send my thoughts to anyone who was injured in tonight’s event, and am committed to our Department’s full cooperation in the independent investigation and to assess the actions of the department’s response during the incident.”

Meanwhile, people on the internet expressed their thoughts over the whole episode with one saying, “Out of control law enforcement. My god, Biden has his work cut out.” Another one tweeted, “Cop could have just thrown his car into reverse and gotten out. Instead, he chose to try to murder people. Cop's identity is going to come out. Only way he's sleeping safe is behind bars. They want to ‘protect’ one of their own, throw 'em in a cell.” “Some police in the US require a 4 yr degree. It doesn't matter because of the types of people they recruit and because they are trained in a manner to inflict harm in order to not put themselves at risk. Imagine if firemen ran over people going to a fire.  Wouldn't happen,” the third user added.