Portland police call for anti-mask law following violent protests

The police chief of the US city of Portland, Oregon, is calling for legislation banning masks worn by demonstrators after violent clashes broke out between rival protesters over the weekend.

"In other states, you will see that it's illegal to wear a mask during the commission of a crime," Portland Police Bureau Chief Danielle Outlaw said, according to CNN.

Outlaw was referring to violent demonstrations that erupted on Saturday, when, she said, masks worn by some protesters hindered officers' ability to identify suspects.

Clashing protesters included anti-fascists – or Antifa – demonstrators and members of right-wing groups, such as Proud Boys, according to CNN.

"If you knew that you can be easily identified, do you think you would be as inclined to commit that act of violence or commit that crime?" Outlaw asked. "A lot of people are emboldened because they know they can't be identified."

Antifa members say dressing completely in black, sometimes with faces covered by masks, aims to unify demonstrators' efforts and hide their identities for their protection.

"People put on the masks so that we can all become anonymous, right? And then we are all able to move freely and do what we need to do, whether it is illegal or not," Scott Crow, a former Antifa activist, told CNN.