I live in Portland and I'm just as confused as you. It started as BLM/ police reform protests but seems to have turned into a shitshow.
Luckily, everything shown on TV is confined to downtown. I live in the city but a river separates downtown from where I live 60 blocks away. Honestly I would have no idea this was even happening if it wasn't on the news.
I just hope this cools off and everyone stops being dumb asses soon.
oh well that is good to know. Ha! Reminds me of when there was a coup that happened while I was staying in Bangkok, and if someone didn't tell me it happened, I wouldn't have had any idea because I was asleep when the military vehicles took over he capital.