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Portland protesters fling white paint at 2 elderly women's faces as duo tried to prevent police station vandalism

Despite Mayor Ted Wheeler condemning the violent acts, the protesters had decided to target the building again and had vandalized security cameras using spray paint

PORTLAND: Portland protesters had aggressively confronted two elderly women and had thrown paint on them, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) confirmed. Portland has been engulfed in protests since the death of George Floyd on May 25. The violent protests came just a day after demonstrators had tried to set the East Precinct on fire. Despite Mayor Ted Wheeler condemning the violent acts, the protesters had decided to target the building again and had vandalized security cameras using spray paint. The police revealed how one person managed to dismantle the security camera.

The police added how many members had thrown cans of spray paint at the East Precinct. The PPB shared that "two elderly community members attempted to stop the group from vandalizing the building with paint and were subsequently hit with the paint." There have been videos showing protesters confronting one of the women who is seen covered up in the paint. In one such video, a protester is seen smashing the wall of a barrier next to one of the women. 

It appeared to be the same woman who had appeared to attempt to put out a fire. The PPB had said, "Several thank-you notes on blue hearts from community members which were affixed to the front of East Precinct were used as an accelerant for the garbage can fire. An elderly community member came forward in an attempt to extinguish the fire. As she did this, group members stood in her way." "As the group attempted to keep the fire ignited, several others in the group shined lasers at the security cameras affixed to East Precinct and continued tagging the building with graffiti. Shortly after, PPB with the help of OSP began dispersing the crowd." 

The PPB also shared that protesters had thrown glass bottles, heavy rocks, paint, eggs and fireworks while they tried to disperse the crowd. Many members of the group also shone laser in the officers' eyes. The police revealed how "several" arrests had been made due to the criminal activity "including an individual who had a loaded handgun". The PPB also shared, "Information on arrests will be provided as it becomes available."

Social media users have slammed the demonstrators for their behavior towards the elderly women. One such user shared, "Where have all the good men gone? I need a hero, holding out for a hero. FFS, do something to protect this woman. Get out from behind your keyboards and do something positive. These bullies can’t get away with this."

Another added, "There amazingly tuff against elderly women and people but run like the little cowards they are when people stand up to them this has nothing to do with black lives just rioting."

"The most disturbing part of this is no one is intervening to help this elderly lady. They're all taking video instead. Have we really become so cold and uncaring as a society? What if this was your mother or grandmother? Would you allow it and just stand there and take video?" wrote a social media user.

Another user who echoed the same sentiments shared, "I'm starting to get disappointed in the people of Oregon (all the people on the sidelines just watching this BS). Come on, step the fuck up. That's somebody's grandmother."