Alissa Azar, an Antifa affiliated journalist who also seems to do PR work for the group, was convicted of felony riot and second degree disorderly conduct today after a five day trial in Clackamas County, Oregon.
Back in June 2021 a voter registration drive was scheduled to be held in a local park. Proud Boys showed up at the park, some armed with shields and Antifa also showed up for a counter-protest dressed in black and ready for a fight. The situation quickly devolved into a riot and police had to clear the park. During that riot, Alizza Azar was filmed running toward a woman and spraying her with bear spray before being knocked to the ground.
CASE BACKGROUND - Alissa Azar, 32, was captured on video rushing in to pepper spray a woman attending a Republican candidate's voter registration event in Oregon City’s Clackamette Park on June 18, 2021.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 9, 2024
Antifa organized to disrupt the permitted event, which turned into a… pic.twitter.com/cJ0xuiJheg
Azar was charged and after a long delay her trial started last week. Members of Antifa rallied to show up inside and outside the courthouse but no photography was allowed inside the courtroom. The judge did this specifically to prevent Antifa members from doxing jurors.
TRIAL DAY ONE - State of Oregon v. Alissa Azar
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 9, 2024
Judge Van Rysselberghe enacted serious media restrictions, including no photos and videos.
He said this is to ensure the safety of the twelve jurors, who reportedly expressed intimidation concerns during selection.
Azar claims to be a journalist and claimed she was just there to take video, but Clackamas County Deputy District Attorney Josh Cutino was able to show tweets from Azar's account in which she clearly identified herself as a member of the group.
Cutino described Azar to the jury as a “leader” and “organizer” within Antifa. He shared social media posts by Azar in which she repeatedly refers to Antifa in terms such as “we” and “us”—undermining her assertion she was reporting as a journalist. Five days following the June 18 riot, Azar claimed that she would participate in similar direct actions in the future, writing on X, "It's us against badged and unbadged fascists."
In fact, Azar seemed to be helping organize the counter-protest that day.
EVIDENCE 1: Alissa Azar posted Rose City Antifa's counter protest graphic on social media.
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 10, 2024
DA Cutino argued that Azar helped organize Antifa's counter demonstration that turned into a violent riot.
He brought into question Azar's claims of being a "journalist." pic.twitter.com/snKE7A8gt8
Initially, Azar's history of arrests and violent action not connected to this one incident was not going to be allowed at trial, but that plan blew up after Azar took the stand in her own defense and opened the door for prosecutors.
This will annihilate the defense’s claims that Azar is a "journalist."
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 13, 2024
The judge initially denied evidence to be submitted against her that was unrelated to the June 18 riot.
But Alissa Azar took the stand to testify — (shocking due to high chance of incrimination) — and lied…
What the record shows is that Azar has a long history of skating after arrest thanks to progressive DA Mike Schmidt:
In March 2021, Azar was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer at an Antifa riot in downtown Portland. Her case was dropped by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt—in line with his 2020 policy of not prosecuting most leftist riot-related crimes.
In December 2022, she was charged with felony robbery, felony assault, tampering with physical evidence, theft and other serious crimes stemming from an attack on a citizen journalist in August 2022 in downtown Portland. Schmidt’s prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the case entirely in 2023.
The closer Azar got to losing this case, the more her supporters seemed to be trying to intimidate people outside the courtroom. Here's a Clackamas County Commissioner who was attending the trial explaining what happened Monday.
Press conference — Alissa Azar Trial
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 13, 2024
Clackamas Co Commissioner @BenforOregon breaks down win for prosecution after the judge granted all evidence against Azar to be entered:
"We’re going to get a lot of history that she wasn’t acting as a journalist." pic.twitter.com/ybOkN9oXPs
This trial would likely never have happened if the offense had taken place in Multnomah County (which includes Portland). But Clackamas County is not like Multnomah County. It's a mix of rural and suburban areas and most people there aren't interested in giving Antifa thugs a pass.
So today Azar was convicted. The County Commissioner tried to report the news in front of the courthouse but as you can see he was heckled by Antifa member John Hacker who has been at the courthouse every day this week.
Press Brief — Commissioner @BenforOregon on Oregon jury finding Portland Antifa leader Alissa Azar GUILTY on felony charges:
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 14, 2024
"Antifa is obviously having a temper tantrum because their comrade today was found guilty of felony riot."
pic.twitter.com/27jzFcguS5
A short time later, Hacker punched someone not far from the courthouse and was arrested. It really shouldn't surprise anyone. Violence is what Antifa is about.
Breaking — Violent Portland Antifa member John Hacker ARRESTED outside of courthouse.
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) August 14, 2024
He bloodied a man in an assault attack, leaving a hole in his face. pic.twitter.com/YokLjXAMAh
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