Shopfront Displaying Martin Luther King Jr Quote Smashed in Portland, Oregon

A shopfront in downtown Portland, Oregon, which displayed a quote by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr was smashed on November 4 amid post-election unrest.

Wildfang, a women’s clothing store, had quoted King’s book Strength to Love, in which he wrote: “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

This footage, shot by Independent Media PDX, shows the quote displayed on a sign behind a partially smashed window. The video goes on to show every window on Wildfang’s Southwest 10th Avenue storefront was broken.

Police responded to the damaging of shop windows in the city’s centre by declaring a riot, according to reports.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Oregon Governor Kate Brown had “activated the use of the Oregon National Guard to assist local law enforcement in responding to any acts of violence, and to maintain public order and ensure community safety.”

“Our goal is to keep our community safe. We encourage demonstrators to gather peacefully,” the office said.

At least 12 people were arrested, including one person who threw a firework at police, local media reported. Credit: Independent Media PDX via Storyful