PORTLAND, Ore.—When the fence that had surrounded the federal courthouse here was removed earlier this month, city leaders touted it as a sign that Portland was returning to normal after nine months of protests that often turned violent.
But within days, bands of rioters were back in downtown Portland. They blocked streets, broke windows, threw a can of beer at police and, once again, vandalized the courthouse. Thirteen people were arrested following a protest on March 12 and the fence around the courthouse is now back up. The violence downtown has become a persistent roadblock in Portland’s attempts to reopen and revive its economy as vaccinations spread, Covid-19 cases fall, and business restrictions are loosened. Local officials who had supported the racial justice protests last summer are now pledging to crack down on those causing the destruction.
“The community is sick and tired of people engaging in acts of criminal destruction and violence,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said at a news conference last week. The rioters, he said, were harming the cause of racial justice, and “also standing on the air hose of the economic recovery for a lot of our small businesses.”
The past year has been especially difficult for businesses in downtown Portland. In addition to the hardships of the pandemic that were felt nationwide, last summer’s racial justice protests stretched on for more than 100 days here; federal officers were deployed; the Proud Boys, a far-right group, held a rally;
Only one party backed and incited a violent insurrection at the Capital that left people dead, based on the lies of a lazy, one-term President.
Didn't tedwheeler blame Trump for the violence? He's not in the office, so is JoeBiden the reason for the violence? Or the logical conclusion is the the mayor lacks balls to manage his/her city! DemocratsHateAmerica DemocratsTheEnemyWithin
Are there no jails there?
LOL until Portland citizens stand up to the filth ruining your city than you deserve all this “woke” destruction.
The chazchop was so disheartening but then so is this
They've reached the nexus where being properly Woke meets the real world result of those who use Wokeness as an opportunity to exploit criminality. The question now is how quickly will reality kick in, and awaken the Woke to the consequences of their own doing.
Best thing civilized people can do is leave Portland. The Fed should give up the courthouse and also leave. Let them sleep in the bed they have made alone.
But it is a bad neighborhood.
I believe there is a solution to the problem; Portland officials know what the solution is; the problem is they have not begun to use the solution. Until they do, the nightmare in Portland will continue.
Turn Oregon red and this will stop overnight.
it seems like west coast is being attacked by Nazi thugs in military, cop & Wasp/kkk SecretService - could we get reprieve? JoeBiden
As a stucco contractor we won't perform work DT anymore. Can't leave equipment/rigs overnight as they'll run the risk of being damaged. This is now vandalism & criminal behavior perpetrated by thugs. Nothing to do with social justice. IMHO
Lol at an article written by a dude that doesn’t live in Portland. Keep your shit opinions to yourself. Same can be said to all you commenters that don’t know shit or live there
only the lawless benefit from lawlessness... every meth lab in America dreams of a collapse.
so you wanted Democrat socialism.... Good luck escaping they violence, corruption and open theft!
Antifa and BLM occupations are peaceful love fests according to Dems
congrats! you got exactly what you deserve. defund the police not such a good idea anymore huh?
It’s like pre-Guiliani NYC.....As a commuter, you would make sure to leave the city before nightfall.
Clubs and cuffs. Do it the old way. Fuck it. No matter what you do you'll be vilified
That is what the liberals want, perfect. They have exactly what they wanted
HaHaHa, typical far left behavior; nothing but anarchy! This is the expected outcome when leftist are allowed to set the rules!
See what supporting ANTIFA and BLM got you! They will have to be driven out but you support them, what to do, it is you who caused this.
But I thought Antifa was just an idea?
Anthony I live in Portland. The police here have gone rogue, the mayor is a coward who is enabling them as they antagonize with violence and human rights violations. This story is unfortunately one dimensional.
Who's surprised? Anyone? It's always been a city of pirates. This is what democracy looks like. You control your town and no one is supposed to tell you how to run it. If they want to enable insane policies, good for them. Just don't tell anyone else what to do.
Just clear the streets, or keep wishing the problem goes away.
Let’s get some negotiators out there to push for change.
Well sure glad I don’t live in Portland don’t the elected officials care for those who elected them?
Simple. Let the people take back the streets.
^^^ Fascist nonsense.
Talk about losing control of your city?
Breaking: farmer yields crop of vegetables he planted.