SALEM (US) – Police cracked down on a scuffle between supporters of Republican President Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter activists in Salem, Oregon, on Monday as tensions escalated in the region.
Members of the all-male right wing Proud Boys and Trump supporters numbering more than 100 descended on the capitol building in Salem in a convoy of vehicles waving Trump 2020 signs and national flags. Some of them were armed. They were met by 20 Black Lives Matter activists.
A scuffle broke out and one Trump supporter manhandled an activist and the two groups fired pepper sprays at each other.
Police tackled two people who had been punching Black Lives Matter demonstrators and arrested them.
A spokesperson of the Oregon State Police said two men were arrested and charged with assault and later subsequently released.