Dueling protests took to the streets of downtown Portland and Vancouver, with demonstrators squaring off in sometimes heated exchanges Sunday afternoon and police making multiple arrests.

In the most-harrowing confrontation of the day, a pickup truck in downtown Vancouver drove near or into a group of counterprotesters, and some had to scramble to get out of the way, though no one appeared to be injured. People threw rocks and bottles at the truck, then several protesters described the truck and pointed officers in its direction. Police then located the truck, pulled it over and appeared to arrested the driver, according to observers and video of the incident.

A similar incident last month in Charlottesville, Virginia, left one person dead when a car drove into a crowd of counterprotesters.

The altercation followed a heated but short rally in Portland, which drew hundreds, and one in Vancouver, where as many as 150 supporters of the conservative group Patriot Prayer gathered at the Vancouver Landing Amphitheater along the shores of the Columbia River. The Vancouver rally, organized by group leader Joey Gibson, included speeches in support of freedom, veterans, God and the American flag.

A larger group of counterprotesters who vocally decried fascism and Nazis gathered nearby, with police from Vancouver, Portland and the Clark County Sheriff's Office keeping the groups separated.

Some of those who attended the Patriot Prayer rally were decked out in star-spangled duds and Make America Great Again hats and t-shirts with USA emblazoned across them. Some waved American flags. One participant who stood and watched had a handgun visibly holstered to his hip.

"You don't have to be afraid. That's what Antifa wants," Gibson said, referencing the group known for its anti-fascist views during one of several speeches he made. "That's what the elites want."

Speakers also repeatedly condemned racism, white supremacy and violence and spoke of the need for free speech without threats of physical harm by Antifa and others who oppose their political points of view.

Pam Brumfield-Uriarte, a 49-year-old grandmother from Vancouver, wore a red and blue sequined fedora with white stars and American flag earrings in the shape of stars when she spoke. She urged the crowd to try to find something in common with a person they assumed they would have nothing in common with.

"We need to find each other's humanity again," Brumfield-Uriarte said. "That's how we stop the hate. That's how we stop the division."

Joining the Patriot Prayer rally were members of the Hell Shaking Street Preachers, who regularly speak against the gay and lesbian community, immigrants and Muslims, and have incited violence at previous rallies. Some present claimed to be affiliated with the Proud Boys, a right-wing group whose members espouse nationalist views. Some Patriot Prayer supporters showed up in helmets and protective gear.

Arron Thomas, a 35-year-old Vancouver resident, said he was at the farmers market earlier in the day when he heard about the Patriot Prayer rally, so he decided to come. He said he had heard about Patriot Prayer and Gibson being characterized as white supremacists and promoting hate and violence.

"How can you say this about these guys," he said. "I don't understand. What they're saying here, none of it was hateful. None of it was exclusionary."

Counterprotesters had cake to share, some had dogs and some had black masks and anti-fascist signs. Tensions ran high as late-arriving people aligned with the Patriot Prayer group crossed the police line to hear Gibson. Some were sprayed with silly string. A common thread among counterprotesters was chants against hate, but rhetoric varied.

The Southwest Washington Emergency Response Network Against Hate gave specific instructions to avoid chants that would antagonize. The point, organizers instructed, was not to start debate but to peacefully stand against hate.

Susan Fleming, 72, of Camas said she came to counterprotest because "you can't let people think nobody cares what you do."

"You can't be afraid," she said. "I think a lot of people are afraid and just stay away."

Others however, chose more inflammatory remarks, chanting, "Cops and Klan hand-in-hand," and spraying Gibson supporters with silly string and glitter.

Maya Jarred of Portland came out to raise money for a "Clock A Nazi" campaign, which asked people to pledge to donate for every 15 minutes the Patriot Prayer rally continued to the Portland Alliance for Self Care, which she said connects vulnerable communities with resources.

Jarred said she came out to help raise money because "I think white supremacy is having a big impact right now, and I'm terrified of its impacts."

Sam Hackney carried a sign that read "Continuing Grandpa's Work" because, as she explained, her grandfather fought in World War II.

She said she came to protest because "it's the right thing to do."

"I don't know anyone who wouldn't be touched by fascism," she said.

Rosemary Hands, 70, wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt to the counterprotest. She confronted Gibson after the event.

"I'm a 70-year-old woman, and I hate what you're doing," she told Gibson. "I hate your followers."

Later she said of Gibson: "He can say he's not promoting hate all day long, but I'm not buying it. I'm not stupid."

By 4 p.m., the Patriot Prayer rally was over, with Gibson leading supporters in a prayer, but crowds of protesters remained in the area, with face-to-face confrontations taking place.

Police told those gathered in Vancouver they had to leave the waterfront or face arrest. Counterprotesters milled around the parking lot briefly, but then began to march, some in the street. That's when the truck sporting American flags revved its engine and drove in reverse away from protesters, causing a brief panic.

By 5:30 p.m., the crowds in Vancouver had largely dispersed.

Vancouver Police made the following arrests:

Nicholas Partin, 36, of Portland, on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.

Shawna L. Gonzalez, 34, on charges of Reckless Endangerment.

In downtown Portland, a group of several hundred people gathered about 12:30 p.m. for the Portland Stands United Against Hate rally in Terry Schrunk Plaza near from City Hall. The rally was peaceful, though several altercations occurred nearby.

Demonstrators from both groups also converged on Tom McCall Waterfront Park. As in Vancouver, police kept the opposing protesters separated.

But the gathering became increasingly volatile, with protesters throwing rocks and smoke bombs. It was unclear who threw the objects, but police seized multiple weapons and deployed pepper spray and flashbang grenades. Two police officers were injured by thrown objects.

Patriot Prayer supporter Kyle Broussard at the Portland gathering said people often assume he is a white nationalist because he's bald, caused by a condition called alopecia. A regular at Portland protests, he can often be seen breaking up fights and trying to strike up conversation with rallygoers.

"I've already been insulted and shot with a slingshot," Broussard said. "That hurt."

So why keep coming out? Why participate in Patriot Prayer rallies?

"They allow members to march and express their freedom regardless of political difference," he said. "If you disagree with them, it's OK. We can disagree and still be peaceful and reasonable."

Broussard said he agreed with counterdemonstrators on many points but said he had a hard time fitting in with left-leaning groups because they assume he's alt-right: "I have alopecia. I cannot grow hair, so they label me a skinhead, a Nazi."

Portland police reported they made seven arrests. They also say officers stopped a vehicle whose occupant reportedly flashed a gun at protesters, prompting an investigation.

As the afternoon progressed, many protesters left downtown Portland and headed to Vancouver. Portland police sent officers to Vancouver to assist.

The seven people arrested in Portland were, according to a police news release:

Tyler W. Bristow, 27, on charges of Interfering with a Police Officer and Resist Arrest.

Chad Skjei, 37 on charges of Interfering with a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Attempt Theft in the Second Degree.

Thomas "Sarah" Wallace, 18, on charges of Assault on a Police Officer (two counts) and Harassment.

Deaclan S. Lenartz, 35, on charges of Interfering with a Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Naomi G. Seraphina, 42 on charges of Interfering with a Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Alice E. Hall, 27, on charges of Interfering with a Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Eli F. Richey, 37, on a charge of Interfering with a Police Officer.

The arrested will be arraigned in Multnomah County Court on Monday.

Reporters Bethany Barnes, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, Eder Campuzano and Mike Rogoway contributed to this report.

-- Grant Butler

503-221-8566; @grantbutler