Far-Right Violence Meets Lax Law Enforcement in Portland
Amy Herzfeld-Copple, deputy director of the Portland, Ore.-based Western States Center, released the following statement:
“A year ago, the city of Portland showed far-right extremists the door. City leaders locked arms with community leaders, local businesses and everyday citizens to come together and reject hate. We thought that day marked a turning point for Portland, but we were deeply disappointed by what we witnessed today.
“Far-right protesters gathered again on Portland streets and deployed violence against the community. Eyewitness videos from today showed far-right protesters spraying bear mace, firing paintball guns, carrying rifles and even pointing a pistol at a crowd of counter-protesters.
“The Portland Police Bureau, which is widely criticized for its disproportionate use of force against racial justice protesters and frequently declares a riot to shut down violent protests, allowed pitched battles to play out in the streets today. It was only when federal troops later confronted racial justice protesters that a riot was declared.
“We urge city leaders to pick up where they left off last year when they took a decisive stand against white nationalism and made violent alt-right groups unwelcome in our city. Today was one step backward, but we can again come together as a city to take many concrete steps forward to safeguarding inclusive democracy and the rights and wellbeing of all Portlanders.”