Protester yells 'I can't breathe' as federal officer arrests her during Portland demonstrations

Imogen Braddick28 July 2020

A protester was filmed repeatedly yelling "I can't breathe" as she was arrested by a federal officer during demonstrations in Portland.

The woman, who identified herself as Noelle Mandolfo, was detained during another night of Black Lives Matter protests in the Oregon city.

Video footage shows a federal agent kneeling on her back and holding a baton near her neck as she appears to resist arrest.

Bystanders are heard shouting "you're hurting her" before she yells "get off of me" and repeatedly says "I can't breathe".

Armed officers surround the two agents as they attempt to handcuff the woman.

A federal officer asks her to "stop resisting" arrest as she asks them: "Why are you doing this? Why would you pick me?"

Another bystander is heard saying: "Be gentle with her."

Portland has held nightly protests for two months since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.

President Donald Trump said he sent federal agents to the city to halt the unrest but state and local officials said they are making the situation worse.

A federal officer holds a tear gas rifle during a protest in Portland 
AP

Mr Trump's deployment of federal officers over the July 4 weekend fanned the flames of the Black Lives Matter protest movement in the city.

The number of protesters had dwindled to less than 100 before the deployment, and it has now has swelled to the thousands.

Before the federal intervention, Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local leaders said a small group of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters.

Federal officers deploy tear gas while dispersing a crowd of protesters 
Nathan Howard/Getty Images

However, the Democrat, who was tear-gassed this week as he joined protesters, says the federal presence is exacerbating a tense situation and he has repeatedly told them to leave.

On Monday, a top official said the federal militarised officers will remain in Portland until attacks on the US courthouse cease.

"It is not a solution to tell federal officers to leave when there continues to be attacks on federal property and personnel," US Attorney Billy Williams told reporters.

Protesters in Portland, Oregon
Associated Press

"We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so."

US agents repeatedly fired tear gas, flash bangs and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland on Monday.

Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse, while others shot fireworks, banged on the fence and projected lights on the building.

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