Ongoing demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, which have occasionally devolved into violence, exploded into all-out riots on July 4th, as protesters targeted police headquarters, jails, and a federal courthouse.
Nearly a dozen people were arrested Saturday as unrest in the city entered its 38th day, Portland police said. Federal agents arrested at least one person who will likely be charged with trying to destroy a federal building.
Portland police officially declared the situation a &#8220;riot&#8221; around 11 pm Saturday night, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-police-declare-riot-again-as-city-sees-38th-straight-day-of-unrest">according to Fox News</a>, and were unable to quell the unrest. Per the department&#8217;s official social media accounts, Portland police were so consumed with containing the destruction that they were unable to respond to anything other than emergency calls.
&#8220;PPB is handling emergency calls only City-wide at this time,&#8221; the department tweeted around 11 pm local time. &#8220;Many calls for police service are holding in each precinct. We want the crowd downtown to disperse so we can assist community members who need our assistance.&#8221;
Police moved against the gathering crowd around 10 pm Saturday night, just as a throng of demonstrators began firing projectiles and fireworks at the federal courthouse towards the center of Portland, where crowds have been gathering for over a month to protest police brutality.
&#8220;Shortly after 9 p.m., a crowd of hundreds began congregating on Main Street around the elk fountain. By 9:30, people set off fireworks and burned American flags while speakers addressed the crowd and spoke about colonialism, racism, and police brutality,&#8221; <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/07/black-lives-matter-protests-taking-place-in-portland-salem-on-the-fourth-of-july.html">Oregon Live reported</a>.
&#8220;At 10:35 p.m., police announced orders for protesters to stop directing fireworks at the Justice Center,&#8221; the outlet continued. &#8220;A short time later, police appeared to set off devices that deployed smoke. Around 11 p.m., police again warned protesters not “to engage with the federal courthouse” and warned them they would be subject to arrest and use of force if they continued.&#8221;
Social media users were able to capture some of the incidents live, and Portland police posted a number of the videos to their social media accounts to show the extent of the damage. In one video, officers themselves are targeted with fireworks, one of which explodes just inches from a media officer on duty.
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This is some of the video taken by an Officer who was embedded with a Rapid Response Team tonight. The Officer sustained injury from a mortar that exploded near her feet while she was recording. <a href="https://t.co/S4JvlXioZc">pic.twitter.com/S4JvlXioZc</a>
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1279734676697935872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;As officers dispersed the crowd, demonstrators threw bricks, mortars, M-80s, and other flammables towards them. To defend themselves from serious injury, officers used crowd-control munitions and tear gas at this time. Lasers were directed at Officer&#8217;s eyes, which is unlawful,&#8221; the Portland police department said in a statement. &#8220;Despite having moved from the closed area, demonstrators began to trickle back to Southwest 3rd Avenue, starting a large bonfire in the middle of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street 1 a.m.&#8221;
Journalist Andy Ngo was able to capture video of the riots as well. His material clearly depicts protesters targeting both the Federal building and local Portland law enforcement.
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Rioting in downtown Portland by antifa continues. Federal police used CS gas to clear the violent militants from further attacking the courthouse. Now Portland Police are dispersing them further out as they continue to break business windows and riot. <a href="https://t.co/Ra3gIoyeVc">pic.twitter.com/Ra3gIoyeVc</a>
&mdash; Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1279672268302344194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Rioting in downtown Portland by antifa. They came fully equipped with shields and explosive fireworks. Federal police (not <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PortlandPolice</a>) have used CS gas to forcibly disperse them. It’s working and antifa hate it. <a href="https://t.co/MA8f3BRLzO">pic.twitter.com/MA8f3BRLzO</a>
&mdash; Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1279663556657418240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Ultimately, the police stood down.
Much of downtown Portland remains closed and transportation is not running within select borders inside the city.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers with the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe"> member</a>.

Protest in Portland

Riots Explode In Portland Overnight, Protesters Target Police Headquarters, Jails, Courthouse

Portland

Riots

On Thursday night, a violent riot broke out in Portland as reported Antifa activists attempted to attack the Portland federal courthouse.
The Portland police stated activists were “starting fires, throwing rocks at officers, pointing lasers at officers, and launching projectiles with slingshots at officers” as the police ordered them to disperse.
The Portland Police attempted to reach the rioters via Twitter, writing in the early morning hours: &#8220;A riot has been declared in the area of the Federal Courthouse and Justice Center. You must leave the area now by moving to the south and the west. CS gas and other crowd control munitions may be deployed. Leave the area now. There is criminal activity in this crowd to include throwing of fireworks and projectiles. You must cease these illegal actions immediately. Move out of the area now. Officers are disengaging. Do not follow officers. If you do, you will be subject to force.&#8221;
&#8220;A riot is still declared in the area of the Federal Courthouse and Justice Center. You must leave the area now by moving to the west,&#8221; Portland Police warned in a follow-up post. &#8220;Tear gas and other crowd control munitions may be deployed. Leave the area now. There are several people in this crowd starting fires, throwing rocks at officers, pointing lasers at officers, and launching projectiles with slingshots at officers. Leave the area now or you will be subject to arrest.&#8221;
They continued: &#8220;To the individuals within SW Broadway Avenue. The street is open to vehicular traffic. Move to the west sidewalk now. Failure to comply may subject you to arrest and use of force to include crowd control munitions. Officers are conducting arrests. Do not interfere with officers as they process custodies. If you interfere, you are subject to arrest and use of force, to include crowd control munitions.&#8221;
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A riot has been declared in the area of the Federal Courthouse and Justice Center. You must leave the area now by moving to the south and the west. CS gas and other crowd control munitions may be deployed. Leave the area now.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1278946817938341893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Officers are disengaging. Do not follow officers. If you do, you will be subject to force.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1278950942159671296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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There are several people in this crowd starting fires, throwing rocks at officers, pointing lasers at officers, and launching projectiles with slingshots at officers. Leave the area now or you will be subject to arrest.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1278959354863992834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Officers are conducting arrests. Do not interfere with officers as they process custodies. If you interfere, you are subject to arrest and use of force, to include crowd control munitions.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1278964457981394945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Journalist Andy Ngo, who frequently reports on Antifa, posted video of the chaos:
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The US military is protecting the Portland federal courthouse under attack tonight by antifa black bloc militants. They rushed out and made an arrest here. Antifa have been trying to set the building on fire for hours. <a href="https://t.co/p0GiQj5tCZ">pic.twitter.com/p0GiQj5tCZ</a>
&mdash; Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1278962503121133570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell stated on Wednesday:
<blockquote>We’ve experienced weeks of demonstrations that have turned into almost nightly unlawful assemblies, civil disturbances, and riots. We’ve had law enforcement facilities and personnel targeted with violence, including the barricading and burning of an occupied police facility on more than one occasion. Last night, another march occurred, this time in a residential neighborhood, where many families were at home and some were likely sleeping.
Once again, crowd members targeted police, threw projectiles, lit fires, and threw fireworks at officers. Dumpsters were lit on fire and pushed toward a precinct. Several officers were injured. There was a high level of concern about the safety of the officers, but also significant concern for those in the neighborhoods surrounding the activities.
Some have said we’re only protecting the empty building and the force used was excessive. My response to that is we would have seen one building on fire in a neighborhood where a commercial building fire could have led to residences being burned with families inside. Life safety for all is our number one priority.
We are determined to protect our community; this is bigger than property; it is about human lives.</blockquote>
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My statement regarding last night&#39;s demonstrations in Portland. <a href="https://t.co/lbRHs3n5wY">pic.twitter.com/lbRHs3n5wY</a>
&mdash; Chief Chuck Lovell (@ChiefCLovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiefCLovell/status/1278437059431149574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers with the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe"> member</a>.

Protest

WATCH: Riots As Portland Police Protect Federal Courthouse

Antifa

On Thursday night in Portland, Oregon, leftists toppled the statue of President George Washington, setting an American flag on fire on the head of the statue before sending it crashing to the ground. After the statue lay on the ground, another American flag was set afire on top of it.
The leftists, who numbered between 30-40 people, according to <a href="https://katu.com/news/local/george-washington-statue-in-portland-torn-down-protests-continue">KATU</a>, spray-painted “1619,” on the statue, which stood in the lawn of the German American Society; &#8220;genocidal colonist” and “f*** cops” were also sprayed on the monument. The pedestal on which the statue stood was spray-painted, “You’re on native land.”
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Another flag burning, this time on George Washington’s back. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Portlandprotest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Portlandprotest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/statue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#statue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blacklivesmatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blacklivesmatter</a>   <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PDXprotests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDXprotests</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pdx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pdx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oregon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oregon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/acab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#acab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pdx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pdx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/georgewashington?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#georgewashington</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flagburning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#flagburning</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StatuesMustFall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StatuesMustFall</a> <a href="https://t.co/diSjnwO3IO">pic.twitter.com/diSjnwO3IO</a>
&mdash; Garrison Davis (Teargas Glutton) (@hungrybowtie) <a href="https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1273862917985693696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Matt Rashleigh of KOIN tweeted: &#8220;The George Washington statue on NE Sandy in #Portland #Oregon has been pulled down and vandalized. Portland Police officers inspected the damage. Someone left a note and a few dollars on it next to the spray painted bronze.”
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The George Washington statue on NE Sandy in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Portland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Portland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oregon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oregon</a> has been pulled down and vandalized. Portland Police officers inspected the damage. Someone left a note and a few dollars on it next to the spray painted bronze. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/koin6news?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#koin6news</a> <a href="https://t.co/e5LYbDtvMa">pic.twitter.com/e5LYbDtvMa</a>
&mdash; Matt Rashleigh (@Matt_KOIN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_KOIN/status/1273885631949594624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Andy Ngô, editor-at-large at The Post Millennial, added, “Antifa rioters on Sandy Blvd. in Portland draped a US flag over a George Washington statue &amp; set it on fire. They then toppled the statue. ‘Genocidal colonist’ &amp; ‘f— cops’ are sprayed on monument. Rioters have begun to build another autonomous zone nearby.”
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Antifa rioters on Sandy Blvd. in Portland draped a US flag over a George Washington statue &amp; set it on fire. They then toppled the statue. “Genocidal colonist” &amp; “f— cops” are sprayed on monument. Rioters have began to build another autonomous zone nearby. <a href="https://t.co/TrZkhPK9zp">pic.twitter.com/TrZkhPK9zp</a>
&mdash; Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1273861696654729217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Washington was a legendary figure even in his own time. After transforming an underfunded militia into an army that wound up defeating the greatest military power in the world, through the brutal winter at Valley Forge to the capitulation of the British at Yorktown, it was Washington’s presence that gave the Constitutional Convention enough credibility that the ensuing Constitution was taken seriously. &#8220;Be assured,&#8221; James Monroe reminded Thomas Jefferson, &#8220;his influence carried this government.&#8221;
On June 11, Arkansas senator Tom Cotton gave a stirring speech on the floor of the Senate about cancel culture in which he stated:
<blockquote>The cancel culture threatens the very principles of free inquiry and open debate on which our society is based. And you see other manifestations of the cancel culture all across the country today. In many cases they have adopted the spirit of a Jacobin mob in the French Revolution; a Reign of Terror trying to completely erase our culture and our history.
Unfortunately, many Democrats are vying to be the Robespierre for this Jacobin mob.  Look at what’s happening in Seattle; revolutionaries, anarchists, have taken over city government buildings; they have taken over neighborhoods; they have declared themselves an “autonomous zone.” They have put up a sign that says you are leaving the United States when you enter this autonomous zone.
The Democratic Party today, I suppose, is still the party of secession.
But it’s not just in Seattle; look at what’s happening to statues and monuments all around the country. In several cities, statues of Christopher Columbus have been torn down. They have been defaced, destroyed. Statues that in most cases were put up by Italian-American immigrants who were proud of their part in the American story. This was not done in accordance with law; it was done after thoughtful debate in city councils or state legislatures, it was done by mobs.
Just last week the Lincoln Memorial, a temple to the Great Emancipator, was defaced. The World War II Memorial, a memorial to those who fought and liberated the world of fascism, was defaced.</blockquote>
Cotton cited the defacing of statues in Philadelphia and Boston of figures who were abolitionists or tributes to black troops who fought on the Union side in the Civil war. He noted, “Just up the mall is the Washington Monument. Are we going to tear the Washington Monument down? Are we going to rename it the &#8216;Obelisk of Wokeness?’&#8221;
Video of Cotton&#8217;s speech below:
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The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

U.S.-WASHINGTON D.C.-COVID-19-CASES

Portland Leftists Topple George Washington Statue, Burn American Flag On It — Twice.

American Flag

George Washington

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, whose leftist proclivities were on ample display in 2018 when he instructed Portland police officers not to respond after leftists set up camps outside an ICE office and reportedly trapped ICE employees inside the building, had a distinctly different response on Thursday after leftists tried to set up an “autonomous zone” in the area in which he reportedly lives, approving of police clearing the protesters from the area.
KOIN reporter Elise Haas noted in a tweet that included video of the incident: &#8220;Portland Police are moving in on protesters in the &#8216;Patrick Kimmons autonomous zone,&#8217; which is reportedly outside Mayor Wheeler’s residence. They’ve called it a civil disturbance and asked people to stay inside.&#8221;
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Portland Police are moving in on protesters in the “Patrick Kimmons autonomous zone,” which is reportedly outside Mayor Wheeler’s residence. They’ve called it a civil disturbance and asked people to stay inside. <a href="https://t.co/LwAKogsKzM">pic.twitter.com/LwAKogsKzM</a>
&mdash; Elise Haas (@EliseKOIN) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliseKOIN/status/1273596141615984641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Portland Police Department tweeted:
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PPB is declaring a civil disturbance and unlawful assembly from NW 11th east to NW Park Ave and NW Irving south to NW Everett St. If you do not live inside a dwelling in this area, leave immediately to the west. If you do not leave you are subject to arrest or use of force.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1273593849424707585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The area of NW 11th east to NW Park Avenue and NW Irving south to NW Everett Street is closed. We are requesting Portland residents in this area stay inside their residence and shelter in place.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1273595928918626305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Wheeler not only wanted the “autonomous zone” gone, he even acknowledged that the Seattle &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; “CHOP” had some problems of its own.
&#8220;I do not want an autonomous zone set up in Portland,&#8221; he told reporters Thursday. &#8220;I’m watching what’s going on in Seattle and I’m not impressed. I think it’s a distraction from the larger movement; the movement is justice for black people. I’m not in Seattle, obviously, but what I’m hearing out of Seattle concerns me: armed people walking round in the autonomous zone; people being asked to show their papers and demonstrate where they’re from at the entrance to the autonomous zone? Businesses potentially being shaken down to be allowed to operate within the autonomous zone?&#8221;
&#8220;So if you’re asking about something I support, let me be unequivocally clear: I do not support that and I also believe it’s a distraction from the larger movement, which is to support and uplift black voices in our community,&#8221; he said.
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Portland Mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tedwheeler</a> was in the Pearl District this morning after PPB cleared an area that protesters had deemed an autonomous zone. Wheeler was asked if he&#39;d support such an area being established in the city, here is his response <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveOnK2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveOnK2</a> <a href="https://t.co/zGRKVeJvqI">pic.twitter.com/zGRKVeJvqI</a>
&mdash; Evan Bell (@evanbellKATU) <a href="https://twitter.com/evanbellKATU/status/1273651053741748224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In 2018, the National ICE Council, the union representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees, asked state and federal officials to open a criminal investigation of Wheeler over how he directed police to respond to ICE protests, as <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2018/10/ice_union_seeks_criminal_inves.html">Oregon Live</a> reported. The protest <a href="https://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/tns-occupy-ice-portland-oregon.html">lasted</a> 38 days.
In August 2018,  GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana introduced a <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/wweek/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20195604/Cassidy-ICE-Portland-resolution.pdf">resolution</a> calling on Wheeler to resign. The resolution slammed Wheeler for refusing to order the police to take action when &#8220;a mob of leftwing activists recently surrounded an ICE office in southwest Portland, Oregon, trapping ICE employees inside the building.&#8221; Cassidy wrote:
<blockquote>Whereas the Mayor of Portland, Oregon, Ted Wheeler, barred the Portland Police Bureau from coming to the aid of ICE employees, stating, ‘‘I do not want the @PortlandPolice to be engaged or sucked into a conflict, particularly from a Federal agency that I believe is on the wrong track . . . If they are looking for a bailout from this mayor, they are looking in the wrong place.’’; whereas the ICE office in southwest Portland was shut down for days due to threats and occupation; whereas leftwing activists have similarly harassed and threatened ICE employees and targeted ICE offices for closure around the country;
Whereas the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council’s representative stated in a letter to Mayor Ted Wheeler that ‘‘[y]our current policy forbidding Portland law enforcement agencies from assisting employees of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency who request law enforcement assistance while at or away from work’’ leaves ‘‘them vulnerable to violence, harassment and even death . . . Your policy has created a zone of terror and lawlessness. We ask that you end your policy of not responding to calls for police services from ICE employees immediately. Our membership has been the subjected to threats of physical violence and harassment since you announced your policy,’’ and whereas the President of the Portland Police Association, Daryl Turner, stated, ‘‘There is no place for personal, political bias when it comes to providing public safety services to our communities. In that respect, our Mayor, who is also our Police Commissioner, has failed miserably” … the Senate calls on the Mayor of Portland, Oregon, Ted Wheeler, to immediately resign.</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.
&nbsp;

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler

Democrat Portland Mayor Who Kept Police From Responding To 2018  ICE Protests Shuts Down ‘Autonomous Zone’ Near His Home

Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

Seattle

Even the progressive Democratic mayor of Portland thinks what the Democratic leadership up in Seattle is allowing to take place in the city is absurd.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who just last week gave city employees <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-mayor-gives-govt-workers-40-hours-off-to-mourn-400-years-of-african-american-oppression-heres-the-email">40 hours</a> of bereavement leave to &#8220;mourn 400 years of African-American oppression, including the police killings of African-Americans across the country,&#8221; says he is &#8220;absolutely&#8221; against the &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; that fellow Democratic Mayor Jenny Durkan has allowed to be established in multiple city blocks downtown. The &#8220;cop-free&#8221; area enabled by Seattle Democrats is both a &#8220;distraction&#8221; and dangerous, warns Wheeler.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-it-protesters-set-up-autonomous-zone-in-seattle-after-police-retreat-barricade-6-blocks-around-shuttered-precinct">The Daily Wire</a> has documented, over the last few weeks, Durkan has allowed radical protesters to take over multiple city blocks, ordering police to abandon the East Precinct and empowering radical protesters to establish what they initially declared the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” (CHAZ). CHAZ – which the occupiers have since rebranded CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) because &#8220;autonomous&#8221; clashes with their demands for various services and resources from the city – has also established its own armed &#8220;patrol&#8221; group to impose &#8220;justice&#8221; in the police-less city blocks of the zone.
When a similar situation appeared to be developing in Portland, the city took a far different approach, ordering residents to &#8220;shelter in place&#8221; so that the police could more quickly <a href="https://www.kxl.com/police-break-up-autonomous-zone-in-nw-portland/">clear out the would-be occupiers</a> early Thursday morning.
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Officers are clearing the closed area. Arrests are being made. Leave the area immediately or you are subject to arrest or force. Residents in the area shelter in place.
&mdash; Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1273597909448060929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Asked Thursday while trying to help clean up the mess by the thwarted occupiers if he would allow an &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; to be established in his city, Mayor Wheeler said &#8220;absolutely&#8221; not and took aim at Seattle over its handling of the ongoing downtown debacle.
&#8220;I do not want an autonomous zone set up in Portland,&#8221; Wheeler told reporters. &#8220;I&#8217;m watching what&#8217;s going on in Seattle, and I&#8217;m not impressed. I think it&#8217;s a distraction from the larger movement, and the movement is justice for black people.&#8221;
&#8220;What I&#8217;m hearing coming out of Seattle concerns me,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Armed people walking around in the autonomous zone? People being asked to show their papers and demonstrate where they&#8217;re from at the entrance to the autonomous zone? Businesses being potentially shaken down to be allowed to operate within the autonomous zone?&#8221;
&#8220;So if you&#8217;re asking if that&#8217;s something I support, let me be unequivocally clear: I absolutely do not support that,&#8221; he stressed.  &#8220;And I do believe that it&#8217;s a distraction from the larger movement, which is to support and uplift black voices in our community.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe title="Wheeler speaks after protesters clear from attempted autonomous zone" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O5YiU6qXH3M?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Meanwhile, up in Seattle, Durkan and various city departments have worked with the CHOP organizers this week to help make their semi-autonomous section of the city a little &#8220;safer.&#8221;
&#8220;This morning, City departments including [Seattle Department of Transportation], [Seattle Fire Department] and [Seattle Public Utilities] worked with the CHOP organizers to make some important public safety and access changes to the area,&#8221; the city announced on Tuesday.
Durkan is touting the city&#8217;s attempts to empower CHOP. &#8220;The [CHOP] has emerged as a gathering place for community to demand change of their local, state, and federal government,&#8221; she tweeted Tuesday. &#8220;At the [City of Seattle], we&#8217;ve made a few changes to facilitate first amendment activities while also maintaining safety and access for all of our residents.&#8221;
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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHOP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHOP</a> has emerged as a gathering place for community to demand change of their local, state, and federal government. At the <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofSeattle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CityofSeattle</a>, we&#39;ve made a few changes to facilitate first amendment activities while also maintaining safety and access for all of our residents. <a href="https://t.co/0j60qWFCL8">https://t.co/0j60qWFCL8</a>
&mdash; Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorJenny/status/1272970941891395584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chop-pushes-back-after-seattle-inks-an-agreement-with-organizers-to-shrink-protest">CHOP Pushes Back After Seattle Inks An ‘Agreement’ With Organizers To Shrink Protest</a>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.
&nbsp;

Capitol Hill Organized Protest

WATCH: Liberal Portland Mayor Slaps Seattle For Lawless CHOP Debacle

Black Lives Matter

In an effort to replicate the &#8220;Seattle Autonomous Zone&#8221; in cities nationwide, protesters took to the streets of Asheville, North Carolina, Portland, Oregon, Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend. Warned by what&#8217;s happening in the &#8220;CHAZ,&#8221; though, police departments were quick to shut down those efforts.
In Nashville, the effort was over before it even began.
&#8220;Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a warning hours before protesters are planning to take over an area outside the Capitol,&#8221; l<a href="https://fox17.com/news/local/free-capitol-hill-friday-rally-planned-to-reclaim-the-plaza">ocal news in Nashville</a> reported Saturday. &#8220;Nashville autonomous zone &#8216;will not be tolerated,&#8217; Lee said in a statement, citing that camping on state property is prohibited by law and it will be enforced.&#8221;
Occupying state property is a misdemeanor in Tennessee and despite organizers encouraging protesters to show up with &#8220;tents,&#8221; &#8220;food,&#8221; and other necessities, an autonomous zone never materialized.
In Asheville, members of law enforcement were on hand as demonstrators built their temporary lodgings on Livingston street in the center of the city and dismantled the autonomous zone just hours after protesters declared themselves immune from the laws of the United States.
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Police dismantle an Antifa “autonomous zone” in Asheville, NC. Not today, stalin. <a href="https://t.co/xWeepUDxkp">pic.twitter.com/xWeepUDxkp</a>
&mdash; Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1271863809137717248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Protesters were shocked that, unlike in Seattle, the Asheville city government was unwilling to tolerate their continued presence.
&#8220;Update on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Asheville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Asheville</a> autonomous zone. Every cop in Asheville showed up, proving they have nothing better to do on a Friday night. Tore down barricade. As of 11pm est, &lt;100 demonstrators remaining. Need more people &amp; support. Many will be back tmrw. This is only the beginning,&#8221; one would-be autonomous zone citizen wrote on Twitter.
Police responded to continued threats of occupation with a statement about blocking public streets. &#8220;Blocking a roadway is not only illegal,&#8221; they noted, &#8220;but dangerous for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.&#8221;
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Blocking a roadway is not only illegal, but dangerous for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Asheville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Asheville</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AVL</a> <a href="https://t.co/trUhMnnomx">pic.twitter.com/trUhMnnomx</a>
&mdash; Asheville Police (@AshevillePolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/AshevillePolice/status/1271855366192717825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Portland protesters received the same treatment. Cops dismantled the &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; almost as quickly as it was erected.
&#8220;Portland protesters attempting to establish an &#8216;autonomous zone&#8217; similar to the one in Seattle abandoned it shortly after erecting it,&#8221; the Washington Examiner wrote late last week.
&#8220;Footage from Wednesday night shows hundreds of rioters in the city erecting a makeshift fence to cordon off an area,&#8221; the outlet reported. After a clash with law enforcement, though, protesters gave up. &#8220;By early Thursday morning, protesters had dispersed, according to police.&#8221;
Chicago&#8217;s tiny &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; is hanging on, but probably not for long. The &#8220;occupation&#8221; is of a single building on the University of Chicago&#8217;s campus &#8212; the headquarters of UChicago&#8217;s campus police department &#8212; and it is quickly running out of resources after law enforcement officials, who are still in charge of their own offices, refused to allow the interlopers to use their bathrooms or have outside food delivered.
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University of Chicago police are blocking the doors, preventing us from getting access to food, water, &amp; bathroom breaks during our peaceful sit in. Folk bought pizza and we can&#39;t get it. Call 773-702-8181 and DEMAND that they stop blocking the doors. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeKeepUsSafe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeKeepUsSafe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HydePark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HydePark</a> <a href="https://t.co/h8Mxkg8BjR">pic.twitter.com/h8Mxkg8BjR</a>
&mdash; Abolition is a Presence Asha AE 🌊 (@Asha_2A) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asha_2A/status/1271583198426906625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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To be clear, the graduate students are occupying the police department&#8217;s building &#8212; they are not outside &#8212; and did not come prepared for a long-term engagement. Forced to tangle with cops who weren&#8217;t willing to allow the protesters to use their facilities, they resorted to defecating in a designated location within the building.
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Protesters inside and around a new “autonomous zone” at the University of Chicago Police Department are urinating and defecating inside a tent in the room. <a href="https://t.co/QzZICTiKlA">pic.twitter.com/QzZICTiKlA</a>
&mdash; Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1271717586523131904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In Seattle, the &#8220;autonomous zone&#8221; experiment goes on, supported by city officials who deemed the protest a &#8220;summer of love.&#8221;
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

seattle CHAZ

Protesters In Asheville, Portland, Nashville, And Chicago Try To Create Autonomous Zones. Police Aren’t Having It.

CHAZ

Chicago

According to an email obtained by the <a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/469461-380039-wheeler-oppression-related-bereavement-leave-for-all-city-of-portland-employees?wallit_nosession=1">Portland Tribune</a>, Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler told city employees they have an uncontested 40 hours of bereavement leave to &#8220;mourn 400 years of African-American oppression, including the police killings of African-Americans across the country.&#8221;
City employees, of course, are paid via tax dollars. And the United States is not 400 years old.
&#8220;As a nation and as a City we continue to grieve the recent loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and others in the country and in our community,&#8221; Wheeler started the email. &#8220;We acknowledge that Black employees are experiencing collective grief and trauma coming from a culmination of oppression that is over 400 years old.&#8221;
Protests across the nation sparked last month in response to the death of Floyd, a black male who died after a police officer had his knee on the 46-year-old’s neck for over eight minutes during an arrest, as shown in viral video footage.
The protesting, however, quickly turned violent in a number of cities, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New York City, Rochester, Richmond, Chicago, and others. <a href="https://disrn.com/news/the-16-people-who-have-died-in-the-riots-following-george-floyds-death">At least 17 people</a> have been killed and hundreds of businesses have been destroyed.
In the continued email, Wheeler said city employees, especially &#8220;BiPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) employees&#8221; are &#8220;deeply impacted by these recent events and are hurting.&#8221;
&#8220;I want to give our employees space to grieve and reflect: 40 hours of bereavement leave as allowed under HRAR (Human Resources Administrative Rules) 6.03,&#8221; he announced.
&#8220;I am directing managers and supervisors to approve the leave without question.&#8221;
Moreover, the Democrat said he&#8217;s &#8220;hopeful&#8221; other employers throughout Portland will likewise allow 40 hours off for their employees. Of course, the private business owners will have to foot the bill themselves, not rely on taxpayers.
&#8220;We&#8217;re witnessing a dramatic shift in our nation,&#8221; Wheeler continued, &#8220;one that is urgently charting the path forward for restorative justice, inclusion, and understanding. I feel tremendous responsibility, as well as tremendous privilege, to be a part of this historic movement. Thank you for walking that path with me as we continue to serve the City of Portland.&#8221;
Since Floyd&#8217;s death, all four officers involved in the arrest have been fired, investigations from the FBI and state law enforcement have been opened, and the officer at the center of the incident was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder; the three other officers involved have since been <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/george-floyd-officers-charges/index.html">charged</a>, too.
View the full email, below (via <a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/469461-380039-wheeler-oppression-related-bereavement-leave-for-all-city-of-portland-employees?wallit_nosession=1">Portland Tribune</a>):
<blockquote>Colleagues,
As a nation and as a City we continue to grieve the recent loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and others in the country and in our community. We acknowledge that Black employees are experiencing a collective grief and trauma coming from a culmination of oppression that is over 400 years old.
We hear and understand that many of our employees, especially our BiPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) employees, are deeply impacted by these recent events and are hurting.
I want to give our employees space to grieve and reflect: 40 hours of bereavement leave as allowed under HRAR (Human Resources Administrative Rules) 6.03.
I am directing managers and supervisors to approve the leave without question.
I am hopeful that other employers in our community will do likewise.
We&#8217;re witnessing a dramatic shift in our nation, one that is urgently charting the path forward for restorative justice, inclusion and understanding. I feel tremendous responsibility, as well as tremendous privilege, to be a part of this historic movement. Thank you for walking that path with me as we continue to serve the City of Portland.
Sincerely,
Ted</blockquote>
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.

Ted Wheeler

Democrat Mayor Gives Govt Workers 40 Hours Off To Mourn ‘400 Years Of African American Oppression.’ Here‘s The Email.

Racism

Systemic racism

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While some cities are seeking to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/liberal-mayor-youre-not-allowed-to-attend-drive-in-church-service-judge-nope-gives-mayor-tongue-lashing">ban drive-in churches</a> during the COVID-19 pandemic, a drive-thru strip club in the left-wing city of Portland, Oregon, is raking in mounds of cash with no government blowback whatsoever.
According to <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/drive-thru-strip-club-coronavirus_n_5eac4c0ec5b624b39692963d">HuffPost</a>, Shon Boulden conceived the idea of a drive-thru strip club after his two establishments were deemed &#8220;non-essential&#8221; by the city at the start of the outbreak. Originally, he created the operation &#8220;Boober Eats,&#8221; which enlisted dancers and security guards to deliver food to people, but when Uber Eats <a href="https://www.wweek.com/bars/2020/03/31/uber-eats-has-forced-lucky-devil-lounges-stripper-food-delivery-service-to-change-its-name/">sent them</a> a cease-and-desist later, he conceived the idea for &#8220;Drive Thru Food 2 Go-Go.&#8221; Here&#8217;s HuffPost described it:
<blockquote>Here’s how the new drive-thru works: You pay $30 to enter and can order any food item off the menu. Once inside the tent, you’re treated to a full show, from a group of (masked, of course) dancers. They do a song or two for each car, and then they send you on your way with your food. There are tip buckets set up inside, and the dancers even have devices normally used to collect trash that allow them to collect tips from a distance.</blockquote>
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Boulden told the outlet that local businesses have largely been supportive and people have been showing up in droves, with some traveling as far as two hours to see the set-up.
“Since food delivery started we’ve had a lot of local businesses showing us support and wanting to collaborate,” Boulden said. “A local event company that sets up stages, tents, things like that, called us up and were like, ‘We’re out of business, we’re not doing anything.’ They offered to build us a huge tent, two stages, a DJ booth, a couple of stripper poles with lights, lasers, fog machines and were like, we’ll just see how it goes.”
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“We had a nonstop line of cars wrapped around our parking lot Saturday night,” he continued. “We had a carload of girls from Seattle ― two and a half hours away ― do a road trip down to Portland to our drive-thru just to get some food and see this going on. It’s crazy.”
Brodie, a dancer, said while the Food 2 Go-Go is not quite what she&#8217;s used to, she still appreciated being able to work. Another dancer, Toxic, said it has helped relieve the mental stress of social isolation.
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“It feels amazing. It’s still not enough, but it feels so good to move,” she said. “I woke up the next day and was actually sore ― it had been so long [since I last danced]. I just need this right now.”
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“It’s helped my mood and my anxiety and depression during this entire pandemic because I get to have some type of artistic expression again,” she said. “It’s great to feel sexy ― I just feel really invigorated. You can just see our customer’s smiles ― I’m really happy we have this option for people. It’s even more exciting than the deliveries because they’re getting out of the house. It’s really nice.”
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe">member</a>.  
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Strip Club Offers Drive Thru Dances During Coronavirus Pandemic

There Is Seriously A ‘Drive-Thru Strip Club’ In Portland

Uber

Portland, Oregon, like many other notably &#8220;blue&#8221; cities, is not immune to a growing homelessness problem. Like San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington, Portland is overrun with people sleeping rough, many of whom suffer from drug addiction and mental illness.
There are humane ways to handle the homelessness problem but, it seems, a Portland city commission would rather change Portland&#8217;s building codes in order to force private property owners to accommodate members of Portland&#8217;s homeless population, according to <a href="https://katu.com/news/local/portland-commissions-plan-to-allow-room-to-rest-sparks-controversy">local media</a>.
The city&#8217;s &#8220;planning and sustainability commission,&#8221; which writes and enforces the city&#8217;s building codes, approved a change to building guidelines in November that would require new constuction to feature &#8220;opportunities to rest and be welcome&#8221; for those who do not number among that building&#8217;s residents or customers.
The requirement can be read a number of ways, but at least one member of the Portland planning and sustainability commission was clear to local reporters that the requirement is to the benefit of the city&#8217;s &#8220;unhoused,&#8221; who are often kicked off of private property for loitering, sleeping, or camping &#8212; as is (typically) a private property owner&#8217;s right.
&#8220;Just one of the realities of Portland right now is that we have a lot of folks who are unhoused who benefit from some of these spaces that provide weather protection,&#8221; she said when introducing the idea at a recent meeting.
Business owners obviously took issue with the new requirement, badgering committee members to be more specific about the rules &#8212; particularly whether the Portland planning and sustainability commission was mandating that private property owners accommodate beds, tents, and full camps.
Members of the commission, local news outlet KATU says, refused to go on the record about the plan. One member, at least, did object, calling the requirements onerus &#8212; but for designers and architects, not property owners.
&#8220;I think for us to put into design review some loaded words that suggest we want some design commissioners to think about people resting for hours, pitching tents, I think we&#8217;re just putting too great of a burden on design review,&#8221; he said.
<a href="https://hotair.com/archives/jazz-shaw/2019/12/07/portland-considers-mandatory-rest-spaces-homeless-private-property/">Conservative news site Hot Air points out</a> that, further in the committee&#8217;s discussions are indications that it does intend to force business owners to accommodate those who are &#8220;underserved&#8221; by the city&#8217;s public housing. The committee reportedly considered “how private development can provide places for people to feel welcome and safe, as well as allow space for people to rest, especially in light of our current housing shortage.”
<a href="https://www.heritage.org/poverty-and-inequality/commentary/why-portlands-homeless-problem-the-worst-the-nation">According to the Heritage Foundation</a>, which did a study on Portland&#8217;s homelessness, the city would be better off focusing on mental illness care and drug addiction treatment. Mental illness, the group reports, is &#8220;now more common among the homeless in Oregon than in any other state,&#8221; and its possible that between 35% and 40% of homeless individuals in Oregon are suffering from some form of mental illness.
The state&#8217;s one mental hospital, Dammasch, closed its doors in 1995, and released its patients with no follow up care, turning hundreds out on to the streets, ill-equipped to handle living on their own.
Interestingly enough, the Portland planning and sustainability commission is only codifying what appears to be a de facto rule about the homeless staking their claim to property within the city. Heritage reports that Portland police are prohibited from breaking up tent cities and encampments, and the city refuses to enforce a prohibition on camping or otherwise setting up shop in parks and on public ways, essentially giving the homeless the run of Portland.

Portland Oregon Retains Its &#8220;Weird&#8221; Title

Portland Wants Private Property Owners To Add ‘Mandatory Rest Spaces’ For The Homeless

Homelessness

Law enforcement seized a former Marine&#8217;s firearms in August after a series of threats were made against Antifa activists. However, reports of the incident largely misrepresent what triggered the risk protection order.
Shane Kohfield, a 32-year-old former Marine and right-wing activist, surrendered five firearms after the FBI executed Oregon&#8217;s new &#8220;red flag&#8221; law. The order was executed days after Kohfield brought weapons to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler&#8217;s home while participating in a protest.
Using a loudspeaker, Kohfield warned at the time that &#8220;if Antifa gets to the point where they start killing us, I&#8217;m going to kill them next … I&#8217;d slaughter them.&#8221; The threat led the FBI&#8217;s Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF) to respond within days and temporarily confiscate Kohfield&#8217;s weapons.
The incident made headlines, as the government seemingly confiscated Kohfield&#8217;s property with no due process nor criminal charge for what many argued was exercising free speech.
However, Kohfield penned an email to Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) months earlier that aired his frustration with the violent left-wing group. The email, titled &#8220;Savagery,&#8221; did not request casework assistance or personal help, but rather detailed plans to &#8220;systematically execute every member of Antifa&#8221; unless actions are taken against them.
Accordingly, Crenshaw&#8217;s office staff swiftly alerted the U.S. Capitol Police of the correspondence and, days later, the FBI conducted what would be its first interview in a series of threat assessments over the subsequent few months.
&#8220;When my office received the letter from this individual, we followed standard House protocol and shared it with U.S. Capitol Police,&#8221; Crenshaw told The Daily Wire. &#8220;It would have been impossible for my office to sit idly on a threat that was this serious and imminent, regardless of the person who wrote it, their background or the weapons they may possess.&#8221;
In the letter, which was obtained exclusively by The Daily Wire, Kohfield explained to Crenshaw that he had attended the #HimToo rally in downtown Portland in November 2017. The rally, which was counter-protested by hundreds of left-wing activists, erupted into chaos as protesters allegedly lit fireworks, flares, and smoke bombs, threw bottles, and sprayed pepper spray.
The bloody brawl ended in six arrests, but Kohfield contended that Antifa consistently had the upper hand, leaving what he described as no option but to escalate the situation.
&#8220;The police and mayor of Portland, Oregon were completely complicit in the savage attacks because of their policy to disarm conservatives,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;My friend and I accused the mayor of Portland of treason because he is intentionally and knowingly putting policies into effect that are causing citizens of the United States to literally be hunted like animals.&#8221;
Equating Antifa&#8217;s treatment of conservatives in Portland to the gore-filled fictional film &#8220;The Purge,&#8221; Kohfield argued that United States Constitution allows for him to &#8220;fix the problem&#8221; if the government will not.
&#8220;I can legally declare war on Antifa,&#8221; he wrote, adding that he wouldn&#8217;t even be charged with manslaughter for those he killed.
Kohfield also demanded that Crenshaw pursue legislative action to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization and have Congress charge any individual who wears a mask with committing treason against the United States.
&#8220;You will handle Antifa or the veterans will,&#8221; Kohfield threatened. &#8220;And veterans will hunt them like animals like they do to the citizens of the United States of America.&#8221;
He went on to explain how the supposed &#8220;veterans&#8221; would compile names of Antifa members through social media forums and collect personal information through connections at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Kohfield threatened that the group of &#8220;veterans&#8221; would then target each of the members&#8217; homes and &#8220;systematically execute every member of Antifa&#8221; until they have &#8220;achieved genocide.&#8221;
Kohfield attempted to rationalize the murderous plan by claiming that there&#8217;s no feasible alternative to killing since he realistically wouldn&#8217;t be able to arrest all of the members of Antifa. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to let Congress do its job or I have no choice but to go door to door and kill every single one of them,&#8221; he declared.
Kohfield further stated that he believed Antifa was preparing to &#8220;declare war&#8221; on him but that he is in the process of putting everything in place for when he executes his plot to retaliate.
Kohfield told Crenshaw that as a member of Congress, the freshman lawmaker was the only person he could trust with the letter, but also cautioned him against taking any action, boasting that arresting or killing him &#8220;would really kick my recruitment of veterans into overdrive.&#8221;
Based on the court order, Kohfield was committed to a veterans hospital for 20 days and prohibited from participating in subsequent protests while in Portland.
Following his release, Kohfield — who had served two tours of duty in Iraq — told local press that he never intended to harm anyone, but that he understood why law enforcement was alarmed.
&#8220;I looked unhinged,&#8221; Kohfield told the Oregonian. &#8220;I looked dangerous and have the training to be dangerous.&#8221;
Crenshaw confirmed to The Daily Wire that his office has not received any other correspondence from Kohfield and that the Capitol Police were not aware of any other lawmakers who received messages either.
&#8220;I&#8217;m grateful every House office has a resource for threats like these so we can ensure our communities stay safe,&#8221; Crenshaw added.

dancrenshaw

No, Police Didn’t Just Seize A Marine’s Weapon After He Criticized Antifa, Dan Crenshaw Reveals

Dan Crenshaw

On Monday, two members of the right-wing group dubbed the &#8220;Proud Boys&#8221; were found guilty of multiple attempted assault charges for their role in a brawl with left-wing Antifa members outside the New York City Republican club. Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes had been giving a speech there in October, during the brawl.
John Kinsman, 39, and Maxwell Hare, 27, both face up to 15 years behind bars and are expected to face sentencing on October 11, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-members-of-far-right-group-proud-boys-found-guilty-for-role-in-manhattan-brawl-11566241050">The Wall Street Journal</a>.
McInnes, who has since publicly disassociated himself from the group, said Monday that he was &#8220;stunned&#8221; by the verdict, calling it &#8220;a travesty of justice.&#8221;
As noted by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/nyregion/proud-boys-verdict-trial.html">The New York Times</a>, on the night of the brawl, McInnes gave a speech at the Republican club in a &#8220;tense&#8221; atmosphere. &#8220;Outside, people had gathered chanting &#8216;No Nazis, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A.&#8217; The night before, hooded figures had broken windows at the club, sprayed anarchist symbols on its doors and promised future attacks in leaflets that also denounced Mr. McInnes as a &#8216;hipster-fascist clown,'&#8221; the report said, noting that &#8220;McInnes departed the club brandishing his plastic sword.&#8221;
The brawl, which was at least partially captured on video, broke out about ten minutes after the speech. The night of the incident, according to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPD1-awWmhg">PIX11 News</a>, three Antifa members were arrested; days later, officers were looking for 12 others involved in the fighting — nine from the Proud Boys and three others from Antifa. The news station reported on the involvement of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, who was apparently frustrated with the lack of police action. Police officers, however, maintained they were on the scene within seconds.
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Jack Goldberg and Ronald Paul Hart, lawyers representing the defendants, argued that Antifa initiated the incident. An Antifa member reportedly threw a bottle toward the Proud Boys and the left-wing activist phoned in threats to the venue days before McInnes&#8217; speech, seemingly to spark a quasi-heckler&#8217;s veto or to cow the group into cancelling the speech.
As noted by the Journal, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, however, &#8220;emphasized that Mr. Kinsman and Mr. Maxwell&#8217;s actions went far beyond what could be considered self-defense.&#8221;
&#8220;What these defendants did was beyond overkill. Words alone, unaccompanied by physical threats or acts does not make a person the original aggressor,&#8221; Steinglass argued Wednesday in court.
&#8220;Within 10 seconds of this brawl, everyone on the Antifa side was either down, or running away. This beating was never about self-defense. It was about payback,&#8221; the prosecutor added.
According to the Journal, &#8220;The Antifa members who were attacked were never identified and weren&#8217;t present at the trial, despite numerous attempts from law-enforcement officials to identify them.&#8221;
During a December interview with ABC News, shortly after the political figure disassociated himself with the fraternity-style group, McInnes <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/39302/watch-gavin-mcinnes-responds-controversies-after-amanda-prestigiacomo">defended</a> the Proud Boys as a benign, inclusive brotherhood that meets at a bar for drinks once a month and helps escort conservative speakers to and from venues. The Proud Boys, he said, are in no way hateful, sexist, or racist.
Asked about the 4Chan-engineered &#8220;OK&#8221; hand gesture associated with white nationalism, McInnes said he would tell Proud Boys not to flash the sign if he were their leader. &#8220;If I was their boss, I would say, guys, this is causing too much trouble, please stop doing it in photos,&#8221; he told ABC.
The founder also noted that anyone who attended the &#8220;Unite the Right&#8221; rally in Charlottesville, Virginia was banned from the group: &#8220;If anyone showed up at Unite the Right, they were instantly booted and I made that clear months before.&#8221;
&#8220;At the heart of the Proud Boys is the belief the West is the best,&#8221; McInnes said. &#8220;Russia sucks. China sucks. The Middle East is not my cup of tea &#8230; I think it&#8217;s inarguable that the West is superior. The West is built on liberty and meritocracy and busting your ass.&#8221;
McInnes also commented on the violence associated with the Proud Boys, noting one of his regrets: &#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t have said, you know, violence solves everything or something like that without making the context clear. And I regret saying things like that.&#8221;
Despite tendentious reporting from The Washington Post in November, the Proud Boys are not viewed as an extremist group by the FBI. The <a href="https://thefederalist.com/2018/05/07/5-reasons-southern-poverty-law-center-hate-mongering-scam/">controversial</a> Southern Poverty Law Center has designated them as a &#8220;general hate&#8221; organization, however.
McInnes was essentially excommunicated from the modern-day public square after the October brawl, receiving a ban from Twitter and Facebook and a temporary ban from YouTube. He was also fired from BlazeTV just a week after the CRTV/Blaze merger.
In the wake of the incident, McInnes announced his separation: &#8220;I&#8217;m officially dissociating myself from the Proud Boys in all capacities forever. I quit. I&#8217;m told by my legal team and law enforcement that this gesture could help alleviate their sentencing.&#8221;
On Saturday, members of Antifa and counter-protesters, some of whom were Proud Boys, faced off in Portland, Oregon — which has been viewed as a haven for far-left violence due to the lack of police interventions. Videos <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/50779/resign-portland-mayor-blasted-oblivious-photo-him-amanda-prestigiacomo">posted</a> by journalists online show Antifa members physically assaulting and harassing people with differing ideological views. Last month, in fact, Antifa members assaulted journalist Andy Ngo, who suffered a brain hemorrhage from the attack.
&#8220;Attacked by antifa. Bleeding. They stole my camera equipment. No police until after. waiting for ambulance. If you have evidence Of attack please help,&#8221; Ngo wrote.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">First skirmish I’ve seen. Didn’t see how this started, but <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrAndyNgo</a> got roughed up. <a href="https://t.co/hDkfQchRhG">pic.twitter.com/hDkfQchRhG</a>
— Jim Ryan (@Jimryan015) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jimryan015/status/1145067852375851008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Last year, the same journalist was assaulted by Antifa while covering a #HimToo rally in Portland. Ngo was verbally berated and physically accosted and had his camera equipment covered in Silly String. At the time, Ngo said the police did nothing during the assault. Video footage of the 2019 attack on Ngo similarly shows that police were nowhere to be found.

Gavin McInnes

Proud Boy Members Face Up To 15 Years Behind Bars After Manhattan Brawl With Antifa

Andy Ngo

Free Speech

Proud Boys

Violence

Democrat Rep. Debra Haaland (NM) proclaimed on Sunday that far-left extremist group Antifa consists of &#8220;peaceful protesters&#8221; who are just trying to protect Portland from &#8220;domestic terrorism.&#8221;
Haaland&#8217;s remarks came in response to a tweet from President Donald Trump, who wrote on Saturday: &#8220;Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an &#8216;ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.&#8217; Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Major consideration is being given to naming ANTIFA an “ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.” Portland is being watched very closely. Hopefully the Mayor will be able to properly do his job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1162726857231544320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump&#8217;s tweet came as Antifa members descended on Portland for clashes with other protest groups, including the right-wing &#8220;Proud Boys,&#8221; and law enforcement over the weekend. The Washington Examiner <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/antifa-continues-to-cause-disturbances-long-after-proud-boys-leave-portland-rally">reported</a>:
<blockquote>With the rallygoers gone, antifa and counterprotesters, who vastly outnumbered the right-wing group, stayed in the park and spread out into the downtown area.
Often ignoring police commands to stay on the sidewalks, the antifa members marched around and engaged in small confrontations with individuals who were perceived or proclaimed to be against antifa. One case resulted in police using pepper balls and arresting a man on the counterprotest side who had advocated for fights throughout.</blockquote>
&#8220;This is on par with what the president does,&#8221; Haaland <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/rep-haaland-d-antifa-are-peaceful-protesters-trying-to-safeguard-their-city/">said</a>. &#8220;He sides with the white supremacists, he sides with the white nationalists, with the domestic terrorists in our country. He&#8217;s incited violence against people of color. Portland is a progressive city. They want to ensure that they keep their city moving forward.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s not surprising that Trump would side away from the folks who are the peaceful protesters working to safeguard their city from domestic terrorism,&#8221; Haaland continued. &#8220;Just not surprised at all that the president sides with the white nationalists. That&#8217;s been his mode of operation since before he was elected president.&#8221;
Haaland seemed unaware of the fact that a self-described member of Antifa carried out a domestic terror attack against an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington, in July. A Seattle-based Antifa group <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-man-killed-at-ice-detention-center-manifesto">celebrated</a> the domestic terrorist as &#8220;a martyr who gave his life to the struggle against fascism.&#8221; Earlier this month, a man who appeared to be a <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/08/06/dayton-shooter-may-be-antifas-first-mass-killer/">supporter of Antifa</a> shot 36 people in Dayton, Ohio.
Haaland&#8217;s remarks about Trump supposedly &#8220;siding&#8221; with white nationalists and white supremacists come despite Trump repeatedly condemning both <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/08/10/prager_u_steve_cortes_the_charlottesville_lie.html">white nationalists</a> and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/05/trump-condemns-racism-bigotry-and-white-supremacy.html">white supremacists</a>.
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Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces &#8220;No Shame At School Act&#8221;

Democrat Rep. Haaland: Antifa Are ‘Peaceful Protesters’ Trying To Protect Portland From ‘Terrorism’

Donald Trump

White Supremacy

Hours after traffic-blocking violent rioting and a dozen arrests in Portland, Oregon, the city&#8217;s mayor posted a photo of himself and his wife strolling peacefully into a market hand-in-hand, using the caption: &#8220;Sundays in Portland.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sundays in Portland. <a href="https://t.co/T3AHq5hCem">pic.twitter.com/T3AHq5hCem</a>
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler/status/1163209418487394305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Saturdays in Portland,&#8221; however, are a lot different. The day before Mayor Ted Wheeler&#8217;s post, Antifa activists targeted journalists and went after protesters, some of whom were members of the right-wing Proud Boys. Below is some of the ugly footage posted by journalist and Quilette editor Andy Ngo and others which has been conveniently ignored by Mr. Wheeler:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Antifa attacks people on a bus. They try to pull them out and hit them with a hammer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PortlandProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSkCE1Vrcy">pic.twitter.com/JSkCE1Vrcy</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162833952190582785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Photo of one of the men on the black bus after he was beaten, maced and had a hammer thrown at his torso during the antifa attack. <a href="https://t.co/XPK4z8IbgJ">pic.twitter.com/XPK4z8IbgJ</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162901699318517761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">A large antifa mob chase &amp; attack a man &amp; a young girl who got separated from the others. No police. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PortlandProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/erceCRVnad">pic.twitter.com/erceCRVnad</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162828409367515139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Middle-age man was maced and beaten by an antifa mob. He was knocked unconscious to the ground. His partner or spouse was trying to protect him as mob still surrounded them. No police. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PortlandProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/eAhrMSEKU1">pic.twitter.com/eAhrMSEKU1</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162844384141832192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">The antifa mob finds and chases down a man (in the blue hat). They had moments earlier sprayed him in the face. He attempted to walk away but they follow him. <a href="https://t.co/EMJdTjbLny">pic.twitter.com/EMJdTjbLny</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162868174603210752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">No police in sight as antifa mob descends on men. A fight involving weapons breaks out. Video courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPostMillennial</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PortlandProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/ddbHB7gwCx">pic.twitter.com/ddbHB7gwCx</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162869929533530113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">DISGUSTING Antifa protestors harass &amp; taunt badly injured older conservative couple who they earlier assaulted.
Saying “you deserved it” and laughing at them, a guy in a dog fetish costume was calling them pedophiles.
I called the police to escort them out to safety. <a href="https://t.co/TczjyFNRkh">pic.twitter.com/TczjyFNRkh</a>
— Elijah Schaffer S.O. (@ElijahSchaffer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahSchaffer/status/1162876877150683136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">He came up to me again and people again surrounded me. He said I get hurt then that was on me. Police came back said I was provoking them by being there. <a href="https://t.co/yHTx34CU50">pic.twitter.com/yHTx34CU50</a>
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Julio_Rosas11/status/1162797858556219392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">This man was just taken down and arrested. According to <a href="https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPostMillennial</a>, he may have had a gun. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PortlandProtest</a> 
<a href="https://t.co/hZUgrpmxKY">pic.twitter.com/hZUgrpmxKY</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162801149361053696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Independent journalist <a href="https://twitter.com/Muffinpan503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Muffinpan503</a> was attacked &amp; pepper sprayed. A woman tries to calm the angry shirtless man following him but is told to mind her own business as a white person. <a href="https://t.co/SeQb2A2gTX">pic.twitter.com/SeQb2A2gTX</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1162793066022858752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The tweet from Mayor Wheeler, unsurprisingly, was ripped online for its oblivious nature. Twitter users, some claiming to live in Portland, pointed to the violent protesting in the city and Portland&#8217;s severe <a href="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2019/4/23/the-numbers-behind-oregons-homelessness-crisis">homelessness crisis</a>. According to <a href="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2019/4/23/the-numbers-behind-oregons-homelessness-crisis">Portland Monthly</a>, 2018 figures estimated 14,476 homeless people reside in the city.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Only a sociopath would tweet this out after this weekend&#8217;s events
— John Cassavetes (@JNCassavetes) <a href="https://twitter.com/JNCassavetes/status/1163279121847222272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Anything else going on? <a href="https://t.co/ot4ZXYzcVS">https://t.co/ot4ZXYzcVS</a>
— &#8220;Fredo&#8221; is racist toward Italians who are dumb (@jtLOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/jtLOL/status/1163428604581220354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Antifa headquarters and homeless everywhere. <a href="https://t.co/BORfO3CY1b">pic.twitter.com/BORfO3CY1b</a>
— Top208/Baleroni (@Balerion_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Balerion_/status/1163319163181387776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet"></div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Sundays in Portland, looks fucking awesome.
Glad you and the wife are having such a wonderful time while part of your city burns and another part is wondering where their next meal is coming from. <a href="https://t.co/mhMem4Ejtj">pic.twitter.com/mhMem4Ejtj</a>
— Michael Wright (@RedTails944) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedTails944/status/1163305483018465281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Saturdays in Portland <a href="https://t.co/JK0Aa9FWwt">pic.twitter.com/JK0Aa9FWwt</a>
— Neil Axelrod (@NeilAxelrod) <a href="https://twitter.com/NeilAxelrod/status/1163309474125361152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Meanwhile, down the street&#8230;&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/NiM8JhpRpA">pic.twitter.com/NiM8JhpRpA</a>
— southerngalpal (@belleofva) <a href="https://twitter.com/belleofva/status/1163227272930873345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">Resign
— Tim putala (@TimPutala) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimPutala/status/1163277911174144001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
After a violent Antifa protest last month, where Ngo was brutally assaulted by Antifa &#8220;protesters&#8221; and suffered a brain hemorrhage, Wheeler was criticized for allegedly giving a &#8220;stand down&#8221; order to police officers. Wheeler has denied giving such an order.
&#8220;Attacked by antifa. Bleeding. They stole my camera equipment. No police until after. waiting for ambulance. If you have evidence Of attack please help,&#8221; Ngo wrote.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">First skirmish I’ve seen. Didn’t see how this started, but <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrAndyNgo</a> got roughed up. <a href="https://t.co/hDkfQchRhG">pic.twitter.com/hDkfQchRhG</a>
— Jim Ryan (@Jimryan015) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jimryan015/status/1145067852375851008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
Last year, Ngo was assaulted by Antifa while covering a #HimToo rally in Portland. The journalist was verbally berated and physically accosted and had his camera equipment covered in silly string. At the time, Ngo noted that the police did nothing during that assault. Video footage of the 2019 attack on Ngo shows that police were nowhere to be found.

‘RESIGN’: Portland Mayor Blasted For Oblivious Photo Of Him And His Wife

Crime

Concerns over so-called &#8220;Drag Queen Story Hour&#8221; events hosted at libraries across the country were reignited earlier this month when photos of young children laying on top of adult male drag queens were exposed.
The photos, which were posted on a Flickr account for <a href="https://multcolib.org">Multnomah County Library</a> located in Portland, Oregon, have since been deleted. LifeSiteNews, however, <a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/images/local/files/PDFs/Drag_queen_child_abuse.pdf">preserved</a> the images, which they have condemned as &#8220;child abuse,&#8221; before they were removed.
A Facebook user who <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/photos-of-children-lying-on-top-of-drag-queen-at-storytime-event-allegedly-taken-down-by-library-after-images-called-out">posted</a> the photos online captioned the pictures: &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t let my kids crawl on top of random strangers no matter how said strangers are dressed.&#8221;
&#8220;Even as a day camp counselor 15 years ago, we were pretty carefully trained about not giving kids piggyback rides or letting them sit on our laps. And if they asked for hugs, we took the side hug approach,&#8221; the post continued. &#8220;Boundaries provide safety. They’re a form of love #DragIsntForKids.&#8221;
Multnomah County Library’s marketing and online engagement director Jeremy Graybill told <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/photos-of-children-lying-on-top-of-drag-queen-at-storytime-event-allegedly-taken-down-by-library-after-images-called-out">The Blaze</a> in a statement on Tuesday that &#8220;[t]he library will reflect on the feedback that members of the community have offered&#8221; with regard to the photos.
&#8220;Multnomah County Library offers a series of programs called Drag Queen Storytime. These events seek to explore ideas of difference, diversity and inclusion through stories, music and costume. The library serves a diverse population with a broad range of interests, preferences and needs. We strive to reflect our communities&#8217; needs in selecting programs, books and other materials,&#8221; Graybill said. &#8220;We continually review existing policies to ensure that performers meet expectations to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Presenters and performers are instructed to follow library behavior policies and rules of conduct that protect the interest and safety of presenters, volunteers, staff and library patrons. Parents and caregivers are present at every program.&#8221;
&#8220;The library will reflect on the feedback that members of the community have offered,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;We will consider the views and concerns expressed and work to ensure that Multnomah County Library holds itself to consistently high standards.&#8221;
In April, <a href="http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/april/second-drag-queen-story-hour-reader-in-houston-exposed-as-a-convicted-child-sex-offender">CBN</a> reported that two participants in &#8220;Drag Queen Story Hour&#8221; activities were revealed to be convicted child sex offenders:
<blockquote>The Houston, Texas group known as the Houston MassResistance activists have exposed a second &#8220;drag queen&#8221; as a convicted child sex offender, who was involved in reading stories to children at a local library.
<a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/second-drag-queen-story-hour-library-reader-exposed-as-convicted-child-sex-offender">LifeSite News</a> reports the man was convicted of multiple sexual assaults against four young children (ages 4, 5, 6, and 8) in 2004. He was incarcerated and is listed as a &#8220;high-risk sex offender.&#8221; … [it was] also uncovered that the man had worked as a transgender prostitute and a porn actor.</blockquote>
In March, it was revealed that &#8220;another drag queen reading to children during a story time hour was also a sex offender,&#8221; the outlet noted. &#8220;Library officials later apologized for failing to conduct a background check on men who read to children at an event hosted by drag queens, according to <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/texas-library-apologizes-after-registered-sex-offender-participated-in-drag-queen-storytime/ar-BBURGDM">MSN</a>.&#8221;

Photos Reveal Children Laid On Top Of Drag Queens At Library ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’

Children

Turns out the winner of the Democrats&#8217; first series of debates was President Trump. According to the Washington Post/ABC News poll, after the Democrats debated, Trump&#8217;s approval rating went up to 44% among all Americans. But that is not really the number to focus on.
A poll of all Americans about any politician&#8217;s approval is largely irrelevant because those nonvoting Americans will not shape public policy. The more relevant number is among registered voters. According to ABC News, Trump polls at 47% with registered voters. Registered voters, however, do not all vote. The most accurate pool to survey is likely voters, but it is too far from the election to determine who they&#8217;ll be.
We do know historic trends. Historically, the pool of likely voters moves a few percentage points closer to the Republicans. As 47% of registered voters approve of the President, among likely voters, it is realistically between 49% and 50%, which are very good numbers. For comparison, President Barack Obama was polling at the same numbers in July of 2011, before his reelection.
The Emerson Poll also shows Trump making gains after the Democrats&#8217; debate debacle. It does not help the Democrats that they went so far outside the mainstream. On stage, several advocated a gun confiscation program. All of them supported giving health care to illegal aliens. Many of them supported ending private insurance in favor of government insurance. Kamala Harris single-handedly took multiple positions on busing. Then they decided to champion slavery reparations.
The ABC News poll shows that the President would beat a socialist-oriented Democrat by six points. The Democrats continue to pile on Joe Biden, whom polling shows does best against Trump.
Beto O&#8217;Rourke, a man who made the fatal mistake of believing his own press, told an immigrant couple that the United States was founded on white supremacy, that white supremacy and the legacy of slavery were woven into the fabric of the United States. With multiple nonwhite candidates running for president, one must wonder if white supremacy is what keeps O&#8217;Rourke in the race. If he really believes white supremacy is woven into our democracy, should he not step aside and support one of the nonwhite candidates? O&#8217;Rourke ran against a Hispanic candidate for congress and won. He tried to beat a Hispanic candidate for the Senate in Texas. Now, he battles two nonwhite candidates for the presidency. By O&#8217;Rourke&#8217;s own logic, we should expect to see him soon marching with the Proud Boys and a Tiki torch.
The Democrats seem intent on running to see which of them hates America the most. The situation is no better with the congressional Democrats. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused Nancy Pelosi of racism, only to walk it back. Ocasio-Cortez is an increasingly prominent voice for Democrats who voice their disdain for the United States. So, too, is her freshman colleague Ilhan Omar. In a Washington Post profile of the refugee turned congresswoman, Omar largely concedes she told high school students a story that played up the cruelty of the American legal system by leaving out key facts. She is now attacking Fox News&#8217; Tucker Carlson for having the audacity to accurately call her ungrateful. But it does seem ungrateful for a refugee who started a new life in the United States and got elected to Congress to then use her bully pulpit to repeatedly bad-mouth the nation that gave her a new start.
Beyond the elected Democrats, the mob in the streets continues to get more violent. In Portland, Oregon, a progressive mob beat up a reporter, sending him to the hospital. Many of the same progressive voices in the media who openly claim Trump wants an authoritarian regime were defending the mob attacking the reporter. Other mobs chase political opponents out of restaurants and harass immigration agents. The revolutionaries among the Democrats are handing Trump reelection, but they are so in their bubble that they don&#8217;t even realize it. It&#8217;s good news for President Trump.
To find out more about Erick Erickson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

ERICKSON: Good News For President Trump

2020 Election

Barack Obama

Beto O'Rourke

Democratic Party

Nancy Pelosi

On Wednesday, in the wake of the violence that erupted in Portland last Saturday in which journalist Andy Ngo was assaulted by masked members of the far-left group Antifa, Police Chief Danielle Outlaw called for anti-mask laws, asserting, “We cannot allow people to continue to use the guise of free speech to commit a crime. A lot of people are emboldened because they know they can’t be identified.’’
At a press conference, Outlaw “called for laws that would bar masks worn by demonstrators, allow police to fully videotape protests and give authorities greater control of protests by groups with a history of violence,” according to <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/07/portlands-police-chief-calls-for-anti-mask-laws-different-approach-for-violent-protesters.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=oregonian_sf">Oregon Live</a>. She stated, &#8220;We have to do something differently … There were entities that planned a brawl in the city of Portland and no one seems to be upset about that. … Entities came here for a fight. … I don’t even know what they were protesting against.’’
Outlaw dismissed accusations from Portland’s police union president that Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also the city’s police commissioner, has “handcuffed’’ the police response to demonstrations.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/49121/watch-journalist-andy-ngo-details-horrifying-ryan-saavedra">The Daily Wire</a> reported, after the attack on Ngo, his attorney, Harmeet Dhillon, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/andy-ngo-attorney-journalist-attacked-antifa-plans-to-sue">told Fox News</a> on Tuesday that she was &#8220;going to sue everybody who the facts and the law support being sued,” adding, &#8220;The situation on the ground in Portland and policing is so bad that the sheriffs of the adjoining counties have refused to send mutual aid to Portland because they don&#8217;t want their own officers to be attacked. Portland has been consistently understaffed these types of incidents, and there have been many incidents. They knew they were aware that this was going to happen and they did nothing to prevent it.&#8221;
Also on Tuesday, the Portland Police Bureau <a href="https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=250045&amp;ec=1&amp;ch=twitter">noted</a>, “There is no current law or ordinance prohibiting covering of the face in a protest and commission of a crime, which makes it more difficult for investigators to identify perpetrators of violence. This is exploited by criminals who engage in acts of violence. Per Oregon Revised Statute, 181A.250, law enforcement is unable to record demonstration events unless there is criminal activity occurring.”
On Wednesday, Outlaw addressed the issue of recording demonstrations. Oregon Live reported, “Outlaw also pushed for changes in the law that would allow police to continually record protests, instead of only when crimes are committed, which she said slows police investigations because they only have snapshots of what occurred.” Oregon Live noted that local civil rights groups have opposed such a move.
Outlaw noted the reduced staff she has to work with and the fact that Washington County, Clackamas and Clark County sheriff’s offices will not come to the city’s aid. Oregon Live said Outlaw claimed it made no sense to send police officers to break up violence if the officers are outnumbered. She asserted, &#8220;There are barriers to what we’re doing because we don’t have strategic resources to get ahead of these things … Every demonstration we’ve responded to is reactionary. … We need strategic resources to get ahead of this before it starts so it’s not even allowed to happen in the first place.’’
Sarah Armstrong, a spokeswoman for The American Civil Liberties of Oregon, protested the implementation of an anti-mask law, saying, &#8220;A policy that prohibits wearing a mask to a protest will have police focusing on the wrong issue. Behavior is the issue, not the mask. It could be argued that the mask is an important symbolic part of a protester’s message &#8230; There are many legitimate reasons people wear ‘masks,’ including political and religious reasons.&#8221;
Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz’s chief of staff, Tim Crail, stated of a prospective anti-mask law, “We looked into it previously and the constitutional free speech issues are difficult to overcome, at least in Oregon,” adding Fritz is “open to a conversation about the advantages and difficulties created with a mask ordinance, but cannot say at this point whether she would support a ban on masks for protests.”

Portland Police Chief After Antifa Attacks: We Need Anti-Mask Law

ACLU

Editor&#8217;s Note: Because the internet is filled with foolish people, the editors of The Daily Wire wish to note that this column utilizes a literary device called sarcasm.
As you&#8217;ve heard, a group of virtuous freedom fighters took to the streets of Portland this past weekend to protest the rise of fascism in the United States. They expressed their point of view by marching and chanting and occasionally smacking someone in the face with a crowbar. Conservatives, of course, have not stopped complaining about this peaceful political demonstration. These snowflakes just love &#8220;free speech&#8221; until someone uses their free speech to fracture a skull. Typical hypocrisy from the Right.
But despite Antifa&#8217;s honorable efforts to raise awareness of the fascist threat, there are still many who deny that fascism is a problem. Even worse, there are some who make the wild claim that the &#8220;real fascists&#8221; are the ones who will bludgeon you with a blunt object if they don&#8217;t like your opinions. This is absurd, obviously. Antifa stands for &#8220;Anti-fascist.&#8221; They literally cannot be fascist. It says &#8220;anti&#8221; right there in the name. Can you not read? What&#8217;s the problem here?
No, Antifa isn&#8217;t fascist. But there are fascists in this country. A lot of them, too. For those who have not been paying close attention, I will provide a guide to identifying fascists. We&#8217;ll make this very simple.
1. Everyone who disagrees with me is fascist. 
I am progressive and enlightened. I went to college. I read a book every year. I listen to informative podcasts. My views on all things are objectively correct. Truth is relative, of course, but my truth is far truthier than the average schlub&#8217;s truth. To deny my truth — which, again, is a very true truth — is an act of fascism.
2. Everyone who fails to sufficiently value tolerance and open-mindedness is fascist. 
The most important thing in life is to be tolerant and accepting. Intolerant people deserve to be beaten to death with a bicycle chain.
3. Everyone who votes Republican is fascist. 
This is self-explanatory.
4. All racists are fascist. 
I should clarify what is meant by &#8220;racist.&#8221; It&#8217;s a popular myth that racism is simply hating someone based on his or her race. The truth is much more complex than that. You probably can&#8217;t understand it, so you&#8217;ll just have to let me tell you who is racist. Shut up and stop asking questions, fascist. I&#8217;m the one who decides these things, not you.
5. All religious people are fascist. Except Muslims.
Religious people use their superstition to hurt and oppress others, which is fascist. Muslims are the exception to this rule, as all Muslim countries are utopias of peace and tranquility. Calling Muslims fascist is fascist. Not calling Christians fascist is fascist.
6. All sexists and transphobes and homophobes are fascist.
Again, we must stipulate that these terms have complex meanings. For instance, it is sexist for a man to disagree with a woman, but it is not sexist for a woman to observe that men are useless, parasitic scum. A true non-fascist will allow his moral superiors to instruct him on what does and does not constitute bigotry. Anyone who attempts to apply his own critical thinking capacities to the question is a fascist.
If anyone in your life falls into any of these categories, it is your obligation to deal with the problem. As we anti-fascists are committed to non-violence, your first step should be dialogue. Simply walk up to the fascist and instruct him to cease his fascist activities immediately. If he says &#8220;no&#8221; or &#8220;what?&#8221; or &#8220;why are you carrying that lead pipe?,&#8221; then you know that further discussion is useless. The only remaining option is to beat the fascist over the head until he becomes as loving and tolerant as you.

WALSH: How To Identify And Destroy Fascists

Fascism

On Saturday, journalist Andy Ngo was robbed and physically assaulted during violent far-left Antifa demonstrations in Portland, Oregon. The Quillette editor reportedly suffered a brain bleed, among other injuries, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/49028/lawyer-journalist-beaten-during-portland-riot-amanda-prestigiacomo">according</a> to his attorney Harmeet K. Dhillon.
Two days later, the Portland Police Bureau posted photos of three suspects involved in the attack on Mr. Ngo, as well as a reported “milkshake recipe” from Antifa, which includes Quickrete cement and other harmful chemicals.
&#8220;Please help police identify those who attacked and robbed me. See photos,&#8221; Ngo posted, linking to a tweet from Portland Police.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Please help police identify those who attacked and robbed me. See photos: <a href="https://t.co/hmd1q6EUpR">https://t.co/hmd1q6EUpR</a>
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1145817170523242496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
&#8220;[Portland Police Bureau] Continues to Investigate Criminal Acts Related to Saturday&#8217;s Demonstration-Seeks Public&#8217;s Help,&#8221; the bureau posted to Twitter on Monday.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">PPB Continues to Investigate Criminal Acts Related to Saturday&#8217;s Demonstration-Seeks Public&#8217;s Help (Photo) <a href="https://t.co/IbpM96b1zt">https://t.co/IbpM96b1zt</a> <a href="https://t.co/NkjubWMHgr">pic.twitter.com/NkjubWMHgr</a>
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice/status/1145815752894820352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
The other two suspects are clothed in all black and have their faces covered, as is typical for criminal Antifa members:
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Here are two other suspects from the Antifa rioting, per <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PortlandPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/pzE32ZZYdq">pic.twitter.com/pzE32ZZYdq</a>
— Amanda Prestigiacomo (@AmandaPresto) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaPresto/status/1145828072849072128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
As noted by Portland Police, Antifa is currently permitted to cover their faces during such “protesting,” making it harder for police to identify criminals.
“There is no current law or ordinance prohibiting covering of the face in a protest and commission of a crime, which makes it more difficult for investigators to identify perpetrators of violence. This is exploited by criminals who engage in acts of violence,” a press release from the Portland Police Bureau <a href="https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=250045&amp;ec=1&amp;ch=twitter">said</a>.
Authorities also posted an image of an alleged Antifa “milkshake recipe.&#8221; The recipe calls for soy milk, Quickrete cement mix, and “other chemical additives to cause long term injury and burns.”
“We hope the biggie officers and proud boys enjoyed the shake back!” the “recipe” said.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">New info posted by <a href="https://twitter.com/PortlandPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PortlandPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/0i9etKfwQG">pic.twitter.com/0i9etKfwQG</a>
— Amanda Prestigiacomo (@AmandaPresto) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaPresto/status/1145827522388668417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
Ngo was so-called “milkshaked,” kicked, punched, and robbed during the attack.
“Prior to the event, information was circulating that some participants planned to throw milkshakes on others. As the event progressed, officers learned from some participants that a substance similar to quick drying concrete was being added to some of the ‘milkshakes,’” the press release said.
“A Lieutenant in the field observed some of the material and noted the texture and smell was consistent with concrete,” the post continued. “The Portland Police Bureau sent a tweet out to bring attention to this potential hazard and to encourage victims to contact us. The act of throwing any substance on another person without that person&#8217;s consent constitutes the crime of harassment (ORS 166.065).”
The image of the &#8220;milkshake recipe” was then anonymous sent via email to the bureau.
&#8220;The members of the Portland Police Bureau and our partner agencies worked diligently in difficult circumstances on Saturday in an attempt to keep the peace, then respond to violence perpetrated by some of the participants as the event devolved,&#8221; Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a statement. &#8220;These events are dynamic in nature and challenging to predict and manage. The acts of a select group of violent individuals do not define Portland, but do have a negative impact on all of us. We are determined to pursue every lead with the goal of arresting those who engaged in crimes and holding them accountable. The public should be aware of the time it takes to shift resources and address violence; it is not immediate and officers have to weigh many factors in their approach. Even with this approach, some of our law enforcement and community members were subject to pepper spray, projectiles, and assault, which is unacceptable and impeded our ability to assist others.&#8221;

SEE IT: Police Post Photos Of Andy Ngo’s Attackers, Special Antifa ‘Milkshake Recipe’

More Antifa violence erupted in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, when &#8220;demonstrators&#8221; physically assaulted gay conservative journalist Andy Ngo, an elderly man, and at least six others, among them police officers. In response, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called on federal law enforcement to take action to look into exactly how Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler allowed the situation to get so out of hand. Wheeler has since issued a statement about the city&#8217;s response.
As The Daily Wire reported, one of the incidents that went viral from the Antifa &#8220;protest&#8221;/riot on Saturday involved Quillette editor and Antifa critic Andy Ngo, who was punched, kicked, &#8220;milkshaked&#8221; and robbed by a pack of thugs — an attack caught on video by Oregon-based journalist Jim Ryan. Ngo ended up requiring medical attention due to a brain hemorrhage after being punched in the face.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">First skirmish I’ve seen. Didn’t see how this started, but <a href="https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrAndyNgo</a> got roughed up. <a href="https://t.co/hDkfQchRhG">pic.twitter.com/hDkfQchRhG</a>
— Jim Ryan (@Jimryan015) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jimryan015/status/1145067852375851008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin also highlighted the attacks on two other men, John Blum and Adam Kelly, who were reportedly attacked by crow bar-weilding Antifa thugs:
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Both John &amp; Adam were beaten by Antifa after trying to help a gay man in a sun dress being chased down the street. While the cowards are masked, John and Adam faced the crowds openly and agreed to be named publicly. &#8220;I&#8217;m not afraid,&#8221; John told me. This is John. /f <a href="https://t.co/WDc88xT16W">pic.twitter.com/WDc88xT16W</a>
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/michellemalkin/status/1145499833446391810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
In response to the reports of violence perpetrated by the radical &#8220;protesters,&#8221; Cruz called for action from the Department of Justice, specifically to investigate Mayor Wheeler&#8217;s handling of the situation.
&#8220;To federal law enforcement: investigate &amp; bring legal action against a Mayor who has, for political reasons, ordered his police officers to let citizens be attacked by domestic terrorists,&#8221; Cruz tweeted Sunday, as reported by <a href="https://hotair.com/archives/2019/07/01/ted-cruz-time-doj-investigate-portlands-mayor-letting-antifa-run-wild/">HotAir</a>.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">To federal law enforcement: investigate &amp; bring legal action against a Mayor who has, for political reasons, ordered his police officers to let citizens be attacked by domestic terrorists. <a href="https://t.co/5xyCDARICl">https://t.co/5xyCDARICl</a> <a href="https://t.co/c0Tf3SsKEf">https://t.co/c0Tf3SsKEf</a>
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1145212985692119041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/49026/us-ambassador-gives-health-update-journalist-amanda-prestigiacomo">The Daily Wire</a> noted, Cruz is not the first political figure to call for a federal investigation into Portland&#8217;s handling of the violence. U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell has also demanded that the situation be investigated.
&#8220;This was a pre-meditated attack on someone because intolerant radicals don’t like that Andy happens to be gay, Asian and conservative. They targeted him publicly before their protest. Mayor @tedwheeler knew this was coming. The people of Oregon must speak up today,&#8221; Grenell wrote Sunday in one of several posts related to the attack. &#8220;I have asked @TheJusticeDept to investigate this incident in Portland. I can’t just sit by and watch my friend be brutally attacked.&#8221;
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">I have asked <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> to investigate this incident in Portland. I can’t just sit by and watch my friend be brutally attacked. <a href="https://t.co/vODiWktqIm">https://t.co/vODiWktqIm</a>
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/1145252536783376384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
Amid the mounting blowback over the alarming display of violence in his city, Mayor Wheeler issued a vague statement Monday criticizing those who &#8220;used their opportunity to exercise their 1st amendment rights, as an opportunity to incite violence.&#8221;
&#8220;Portland has always been a beacon of free speech. We are proud of that history,&#8221; he wrote in the first of the tweet thread. &#8220;But in the last couple of years, some have increasingly used their opportunity to exercise their 1st amendment rights, as an opportunity to incite violence. Over the weekend some chose to engage in violence in Portland, which is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We stand against all forms of violence — regardless of someone’s political leanings.&#8221;
He then attempted to address why the violence was allowed to erupt with what appeared to be minimal police response.
&#8220;Portland police officers have the unenviable task of keeping the peace,&#8221; wrote Wheeler. &#8220;It’s a difficult job and hard decisions are made in real-time. While we continue to learn more about what transpired over the weekend, we will keep you informed.&#8221;
Wheeler concluded by assuring the public that the city would hold the violent criminals accountable. &#8220;We will do everything we can to make sure that those who have committed violence are held accountable,&#8221; he wrote.
As documented by <a href="https://twitchy.com/samj-3930/2019/07/01/resign-portland-mayor-ted-wheeler-tweets-response-thread-about-antifa-attacking-andy-ngo-and-aint-nobody-buyin-it/">Twitchy</a>, many of the responses online expressed skepticism about the mayor&#8217;s ability or willingness to provide citizens who don&#8217;t embrace the radical left agenda proper police protection.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">But in the last couple of years, some have increasingly used their opportunity to exercise their 1st amendment rights, as an opportunity to incite violence.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler/status/1145775205341487104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">We stand against all forms of violence &#8211; regardless of someone’s political leanings.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler/status/1145775206511722497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">While we continue to learn more about what transpired over the weekend, we will keep you informed.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler/status/1145775207568723968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">We will do everything we can to make sure that those who have committed violence are held accountable.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedwheeler/status/1145775208134934528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>

Ted Cruz Calls For Investigation Of Portland Mayor For Antifa Violence; Mayor Issues Statement

Ted Cruz

Never one to back away from taking the politically incorrect stance on a topic leftists hold dear, comedian Ricky Gervais put radical leftists attacking conservatives on blast over the weekend in the wake of Antifa activists physically assaulting Quillette editor Andy Ngo.
Writing on his Twitter account, Gervais pointed out the hypocrisy of leftists who advocate dangerous platitudes like &#8220;speech is violence&#8221; while actually committing physical violence against people.
&#8220;It&#8217;s interesting that the people who believe that throwing a milkshake in someone&#8217;s face shouldn&#8217;t be considered assault are often the same people who believe that &#8216;saying things&#8217; should be,&#8221; the comedian tweeted.
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">It&#8217;s interesting that the people who believe that throwing a milkshake in someone&#8217;s face shouldn&#8217;t be considered assault are often the same people who believe that &#8216;saying things&#8217; should be.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) <a href="https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1145302122205982721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
Sounds reasonable, right? Not according to leftists, who immediately accused him of defending Nazis.
&#8220;Tell me more about letting nazis &#8216;say things&#8217; wouldnt hurt anyone,&#8221; one user responded.
&#8220;Oh, come on, Ricky. This is utter bulls**t, and you know it. If you don&#8217;t, you should,&#8221; said one Internet troll.
&#8220;It’s interesting that people who believe &#8216;sayings things&#8217; is harmless are often white men of European descent,&#8221; said another twitter user.
In response to this tempestuous insanity, Gervais later said that people of both political persuasions will only bring their &#8220;cause into disrepute&#8221; if they resort to violent factions.
&#8220;Whatever side you&#8217;re on politically, &#8216;left&#8217; or &#8216;right&#8217;, you don&#8217;t need violent factions joining you or representing you,&#8221; Gervais tweeted. &#8220;They bring your cause into disrepute. They don&#8217;t even care about your cause, they&#8217;re just in it for the violence. Denounce them.&#8221;
<div class="embed tweet">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Whatever side you&#8217;re on politically, &#8216;left&#8217; or &#8216;right&#8217;, you don&#8217;t need violent factions joining you or representing you. They bring your cause into disrepute. They don&#8217;t even care about your cause, they&#8217;re just in it for the violence. Denounce them.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) <a href="https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1145603935341821952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
</div>
&#8220;After studying science, philosophy, theology and socio-economic history for many years, I have concluded that the big problem is that so many people are f***ing stupid,&#8221; he later tweeted.
Ricky Gervais has taken a bold stance on free speech issues over the past several years, as leftists have increasingly sought to implement new measures to regulate what people can and cannot say, according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ricky-gervais-milkshake-free-speech">Fox News</a>.
&#8220;I&#8217;m an old fashioned liberal lefty, champagne socialist type of guy. A pro-equality, opportunity-for-all, welfare state snowflake. But, if I ever defend freedom of speech on here, I&#8217;m suddenly an alt-right Nazi. How did that happen?&#8221; he tweeted this past January.
Quillette editor Andy Ngo suffered severe injuries to his face at the hands of an Antifa mob over the weekend in Portland, Oregon. The assault stands in line with a series of violent attacks on conservatives that have unfolded over the past few months in both Britain and the United States, many of which involve milkshakes. In Andy Ngo&#8217;s case, the milkshake chucked at him contained fast-drying cement, which <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/49028/lawyer-journalist-beaten-during-portland-riot-amanda-prestigiacomo">resulted in a brain bleed</a>.
&#8220;Goodnight everyone except Antifa criminals who I plan to sue into oblivion and then sow salt into their yoga studios and avocado toast stands until nothing grows there, not even the glimmer of a violent criminal conspiracy aided by the effete impotence of a cowed city government,&#8221; Ngo&#8217;s lawyer Harmeet Dhillon tweeted on Sunday night.
&#8220;He is being admitted to the hospital overnight as a result of a brain bleed. You sick &#8216;journalists&#8217; and other hacks gloating about this should be ashamed,&#8221; she continued.

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Menu

Portland

Riots Explode In Portland Overnight, Protesters Target Police Headquarters, Jails, Courthouse

WATCH: Riots As Portland Police Protect Federal Courthouse

Portland Leftists Topple George Washington Statue, Burn American Flag On It — Twice.

Democrat Portland Mayor Who Kept Police From Responding To 2018 ICE Protests Shuts Down ‘Autonomous Zone’ Near His Home

WATCH: Liberal Portland Mayor Slaps Seattle For Lawless CHOP Debacle

Protesters In Asheville, Portland, Nashville, And Chicago Try To Create Autonomous Zones. Police Aren’t Having It.

Democrat Mayor Gives Govt Workers 40 Hours Off To Mourn ‘400 Years Of African American Oppression.’ Here‘s The Email.

There Is Seriously A ‘Drive-Thru Strip Club’ In Portland

Portland Wants Private Property Owners To Add ‘Mandatory Rest Spaces’ For The Homeless

No, Police Didn’t Just Seize A Marine’s Weapon After He Criticized Antifa, Dan Crenshaw Reveals

Proud Boy Members Face Up To 15 Years Behind Bars After Manhattan Brawl With Antifa

Democrat Rep. Haaland: Antifa Are ‘Peaceful Protesters’ Trying To Protect Portland From ‘Terrorism’

‘RESIGN’: Portland Mayor Blasted For Oblivious Photo Of Him And His Wife

Photos Reveal Children Laid On Top Of Drag Queens At Library ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’

ERICKSON: Good News For President Trump

Portland Police Chief After Antifa Attacks: We Need Anti-Mask Law

WALSH: How To Identify And Destroy Fascists

SEE IT: Police Post Photos Of Andy Ngo’s Attackers, Special Antifa ‘Milkshake Recipe’

Ted Cruz Calls For Investigation Of Portland Mayor For Antifa Violence; Mayor Issues Statement

Ricky Gervais Blasts Radical Leftists Attacking Conservatives

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