Western States Center Statement on Violence at Far-Right Rally: “Portland Was Left to Stand Alone”

Eric K. Ward, executive director of Western States Center, issued the following statement following a rally in Portland by the Proud Boys and other bigoted and anti-government organizations with a history of violence: 

“The violence taking place in Portland today is deeply disturbing, but it’s not surprising to anyone who has paid attention to the lead up to this event or the groups that organized it. This violence is an intentional effort to undermine Portland’s civil society and intimidate its communities. Bigoted and anti-democratic groups want to sow chaos to promote their dangerous and exclusionary agenda as an alternative to local government. So that’s exactly what they’re doing. 

“Community leaders and Portland elected officials spoke out clearly against this action and raised the alarm about the threat of violence, but once again our region, our state, and the federal government have left the city standing alone as paramilitaries from outside this community descended on Portland to spread bigotry and engage in intimidation. 

“It appears that one significant faction of actors in today’s events arrived by convoy from the neighboring county of Clackamas. In fact, the majority of organizers of violent alt right events in Portland regularly arrive from outside of the city itself. Yet rather than taking a stand against political violence, elected officials in neighboring jurisdictions simply chose to look the other way. Despite every indication that participants at today’s rally were coming to Portland with the intention of inflicting destruction, far too many local, state and federal leaders made the decision to ignore the danger posed by anti-government and white nationalist groups--as if closing our eyes to the threat of violence would somehow make it go away. 

“Elected leaders from our neighboring jurisdictions, our state and our federal government need not only to raise their voices against white nationalism and political violence, but to enact policies that tackle this threat head on, including stronger laws regarding paramilities, more training and support for government employees combating anti-democratic attacks, examination of political bias in law enforcement, improved information sharing, and a dedicated desk at the Department of Justice focused specifically on anti-democratic and hate groups.  

“The idea that Portland, or any city, can single handedly defeat white nationalism is a fallacy. This incident needs to be a wake-up call for elected leaders at every level--from city council members outside of Portland to the federal government. This is a national problem that demands national resources. Anti-democratic violence is a threat that strikes at the heart of who we are as a country. It’s time to act like it.” 

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Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center works nationwide to strengthen inclusive democracy through building movements, developing leaders, shifting culture, and defending democracy.

Contact: Drew Courtney, press@wscpdx.org