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May Day rallies peaceful in Portland, no arrests

Occupy ICE protesters rallied at a park on the South Waterfront and marched to the nearby Portland ICE facility. There were no reports of violence or arrests.

PORTLAND, Ore. — May Day demonstrations in Portland were peaceful Wednesday afternoon. Portland police said there were no arrests.

Occupy ICE protesters rallied at a park on the South Waterfront on Wednesday afternoon and marched to the nearby Portland ICE facility, protesting President Donald Trump's immigration policies and calling for the end of ICE operations in Portland.  

Police closed off an area in front of the ICE building. There were no reports of violence or arrests.

After demonstrators gave speeches in front of the ICE building, they began marching through the streets of the South Waterfront area. Police told marchers to stay off the street.

Around 3:30 p.m., protesters announced the end of their march and headed to another rally at Holladay Park in Northeast Portland.

Around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, a large fight reportedly broke out outside a bar in Northeast Portland between the right-wing group Patriot Prayer and left-wing group Antifa.

RELATED: Large fight between Patriot Prayer, Antifa breaks out on May Day in NE Portland

The Holladay Park event, called "May Day is for Everyone: A Festival of Resistance," was hosted by the Portland May Day Coalition.

Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw thanked demonstrators for peacefully making their voices heard.

"We asked participants to peacefully and safely demonstrate and they did," Outlaw said. "Those involved demonstrated the ability to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner, which we appreciate. Thanks to all those involved in the planning and collaboration on the law enforcement and partner side to make this a successful day."  

May Day is also known as International Workers' Day. Last year, rallies and marches took place across the globe over issues such as low wages, job discrimination and unemployment.

Related: May Day group holds Portland celebration, instead of march

Portland police on Tuesday published a video on YouTube featuring Mayor Ted Wheeler, Chief Danielle Outlaw and others promoting safety during free speech demonstrations.

In 2017, what started as a peaceful march for labor rights escalated into a violent riot. Self-described anarchists threw objects at police, who fired non-lethal weapons back.

Related: Mayor on May Day riot: 'That's not political speech. That's crime'

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