FBI warns of possible armed clashes due to elections

SANAA, Nov.4 (YPA) – The FBI has warned of the possibility of armed confrontations related to the US election on Tuesday in Portland.

It comes as the northwestern city, which has become a symbol of deep divisions in the United States, is poised for possible unrest, AFP reported.

Oregon’s liberal enclave continues to experience the fallout from a summer of mass anti-racism rallies fuelled by the arrival of federal officers and right-wing militias, including a group known as The Proud Boys.

Tuesday’s election, in which president Donald Trump could be either re-elected or defeated by his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, has reinforced fears that more street violence could erupt.

Downtown businesses have put wooden planks on their windows again at a time when protests are expected to take place whether Trump or Biden wins or even if the situation is uncertain due to the high number of postal votes cast during the epidemic.

“What’s most disturbing to me is the possibility of armed confrontations between opposing groups,” FBI Special Agent Rein cannon told AFP.

“This could escalate into a dangerous situation if the level of anger rises. It could end up in unfortunate or tragic violence,” he said, referring to the bloody shooting of a hard-right supporter in the city in August.

The 250-strong Portland office has devoted additional resources to election crimes including voter suppression as well as fraud and foreign cyber threats, Mr Cannon said.

Ms Brown’s warnings about white supremacists drew scorn from local conservatives including talk-radio host Lars Larson, who Monday accused her of “deafening silence” about Antifa and Black Lives Matter violence over five months of protests.

E.M