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Police warned that anyone taking part in the vandalism was subject to a citation or arrest. About an hour after their initial tweet, Portland police declared the protests a riot and instructed all those marching to disperse or else crowd control measures such as tear gas and impact weapons would be used.

To those marching downtown: this has been declared a RIOT. All persons must immediately disperse to the NORTH. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to arrest, citation, or crowd control agents, including, but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons.

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) October 12, 2020

The city has been experiencing months of unrest following the May 25 death of George Floyd, who died as a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes as three other officers watched on.

In early September, protesters hurled multiple fire bombs, mortars, rocks and other items and police officers on the 100th night of demonstrations in the city, Hundreds of protesters have been arrested by authorities in Portland since late May, according to AP.

\"PHOTO:
Nathan Howard/Getty Images
PHOTO: Police detain passengers riding a van during an Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage protest in Portland, Ore., Oct. 11, 2020.
>

In July, President Donald Trump's administration deployed federal law enforcement to Portland, sparking tension between federal and local authorities and a public feud on Twitter between Portland's mayor and a top homeland security official.

Trump, who has put \"law and order\" at the forefront of his campaign for re-election, tweeted, \"Put these animals in jail, now\" Monday morning and criticized \"The Radical Left fools in Portland\" for not wanting \"any real help.\"

Put these animals in jail, now. The Radical Left only knows how to take advantage of very dumb “leadership” fools. This is Biden! Law & Order! https://t.co/w0yH3SqnrB

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020

Taking advantage of fools. Law & Order! Portland, call in the Feds! https://t.co/rJl9IVxdMM

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020

Taking advantage of fools. Law & Order! Portland, call in the Feds! https://t.co/rJl9IVxdMM

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020

ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this report.

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