- [Chuck] Tear gas,tossing Bibles into fires,

and burning the American flag.

Just the latest from nightly riots

that have drawn thousandsto this city park

in front of Portland's federal courthouse.

Some say they're justprotesting for racial justice.

Others want to defundthe police nationwide.

Windows were smashed, buildings defaced,

and fires burned nightlyaround the courthouse

but Portland mayor and police commissioner

Ted Wheeler ignored the conduct

even joining the protesters and calling

for federal police to leave the area.

- The reason I'm here tonight is to stand

with you no matter what.

I stand with you.(rioters cheering)

- So we've seen lots of different kinds of

kind of makeshift weapons out here.

Shields, baseball bats, tennis rackets,

green lasers, frozen water bottles,

glass bottles, things like that.

So the protesters beat on the doors

of the federal building overhere for about 10 minutes,

essentially begging the cops to come out.

The cops finally obliged cameout and pushed everybody back.

And now it's kind of a standoff,

but we'll see where it goes from here.

(rioters shouting)

While many of the signscall for the police

to be defunded orabolished, it's clear their

intentions are not toincrease personal freedom.

Antifa agitators couldbe seen blocking roads

and trying to limit thefreedom of the press.

- [Rioter] Film thecops not the protestors.

Film the cops not the protestors.

- [Chuck] When a black Trumpsupporter was discovered

in the crowd, protestersimmediately called in the mob.

- I have his Instagram right here.

We have your Instagram up.

- [Chuck] It was abundantly clear most

of those protesting wantto become the police,

not abolish them.

Some local Christians havebeen trying to be positive

in the midst of these riots.

- As a leader, I'm often asked to speak

and during this entire period I've said,

"I just want to listen."

I have trouble with peoplewho set fires on purpose,

for people who writegraffiti all over the place

and stuff like that who bashin windows and loot stores.

I have a real problem with all of that,

but that's why inside I'msaying, "Lord, You've got

to help me understand whatthat person sees that I don't."

- [Chuck] Tensions easedsomewhat over the weekend

as federal agents were replacedby Portland police officers

who must follow much morerestrictive rules of engagement.

But that didn't stop protesters from

burning American flags and even Bibles.

How that relates to racialjustice wasn't immediately clear.

But Pastor Hennessee says there is a role

for Christians to play.

- We need to pray forthe ability to listen,

to learn, and to find outhow God wants us to engage.

- [Chuck] From Portland, Oregon,

I'm Chuck Holton for CBN News.