Crowds swelled to several thousand as demonstrators from varying groups converged in downtown Portland, Oregon, in the wake of the fatal stabbing of two men who tried to stop another man's anti-Muslim tirade.
A pro-Donald Trump free speech rally organised by a conservative group called Patriot Prayer drew hundreds to a plaza near City Hall. Rally organiser Joey Gibson told the crowd that the goal is to wake up the liberty movement. "It's OK to be a conservative in Portland," he said yesterday.
Demonstrators chanted "USA" and held banners in support of President Donald Trump.
The group was met by hundreds of counter-protesters organised by immigrant rights, religious and labour groups. Many of them filled the steps of City Hall, drummed and played music and held signs, some of which read "Our city is greater than hate" and "Black lives matter." Some chanted "love, not hate" and "Go home, fascists."