Portland mayor blasts rioters for ‘attempted MURDER’... because it could help re-elect Trump?
RT,
7 August, 2020
“When you commit arson with an accelerant in an attempt to burn down a building that is occupied by people who you have intentionally trapped inside, you are not demonstrating, you are attempting to commit murder,” Wheeler said during an online press conference on Thursday, referring to a protest the night prior, which was declared a riot by police.
I believe that city staff could have died last night. I cannot and I will not tolerate that. This is not peaceful protest. This is not advocacy to advance reforms.
Soon after the crowd was ordered to disperse on Wednesday, police say protesters barricaded the front doors of their East Precinct and set a fire outside using plywood and an accelerant. Fireworks and other projectiles were also reportedly launched at officers as they attempted to clear the area around the precinct, prompting police to respond with riot control munitions.
Wheeler went on to argue that the violent demonstrations would be used as a “prop for the reelection campaign of Donald Trump,” saying that over two consecutive months of unrest had created “the B-roll film that will be used in ads nationally to help Donald Trump during this campaign.”
If you don’t want to be part of that, then don’t show up.
The comments marked a shift in tone for the mayor, who has been generally supportive of the protests – even turning out in the streets alongside demonstrators last month – however some were skeptical of the apparent change of heart, noting that it came too late and for the wrong reasons.
“Weasel Wheeler finally steps up, yet at same time trying to placate these violent empty headed rioters for giving fodder to Trump's campaign,” one netizen wrote.
The mayor’s warnings apparently had little effect, however, as protesters again descended on the East Precinct on Thursday night. As the demonstration continued into Friday morning, Portland PD said it believed “the intention of the crowd outside East Precinct is to vandalize or attempt to burn down” the building, though it’s unclear if another effort was actually made.
Wheeler said he anticipates “additional planned attacks on public buildings” in the coming days, urging residents to keep away from areas prone to rioting. While the city saw a brief window of calm after the withdrawal of federal police agencies, which were deployed there to defend government property in July, the unrest has picked up again, seeing renewed clashes between activists and state and local police. The Department of Homeland Security has vowed to redeploy federal agents to Portland’s streets should the rioting continue, though for now they remain on standby.
https://www.rt.com/usa/497390-portland-black-lives-matter-police-precinct/
9 days ago
https://www.rt.com/usa/496566-portland-federal-agents-withdraw-protests/
Andy Ngo Speaks at Congress About Antifa
US President Donald Trump said during a press conference on Thursday that if asked, the administration would crush protests in Portland, Oregon.
“We would like to be asked. We will go in and stop the problems in Portland in 24 hours," Trump said.
"Left-wing violent extremism poses an increasing threat to our country. And we stop it ... It’s an ideology we have to stop," Trump also noted. “What you are seeing in Portland is the radical left’s agenda in action. Portland is their roadmap for America … They look at Portland as a thing that they want.”
Around 200 Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland clashed with police early Friday morning for the third consecutive night, as tensions in the city increased.
“You are not demonstrating, you are attempting to commit murder,” Oregon Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday in a news country, also warning that the city could likely see more “attacks on public buildings” in the immediate future, AP reported.
“Don’t think for a moment that if you are participating in this activity, you are not being a prop for the reelection campaign of Donald Trump — because you absolutely are. If you don’t want to be part of that, then don’t show up," Wheeler added.
Police arrested 12 adults and detained one 17-year-old, ABC News reported.
Last week, Trump stated that if Oregon State Police cannot crush the protests on their own and to the satisfaction of the federal police present, he will deploy the National Guard.
Trump has insisted that the federal agents in Portland are necessary to protect government assets.
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