Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

brooklynite

(93,859 posts)
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 07:07 AM Aug 2020

Portland mayor says protesters are 'attempting to commit murder' and helping Trump's reelection

Source: Los Angeles Times

PORTLAND, Ore. — Violent clashes this week between protesters and police in Portland, Ore., have ratcheted up tensions in the city days after an agreement between state and federal officials appeared to bring calm.

More demonstrators rallied Thursday night, hours after the city’s mayor decried the unrest that has roiled Portland since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis.

“You are not demonstrating — you are attempting to commit murder,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday in a hastily called news conference alongside Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell. Wheeler also warned that the city anticipated more “attacks on public buildings” in the immediate future, and told protesters that they were helping President Trump’s reelection effort.

“Don’t think for a moment that if you are participating in this activity, you are not being a prop for the reelection campaign of Donald Trump, because you absolutely are,” the mayor said. “If you don’t want to be part of that, then don’t show up.”



Read more: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-08-07/portland-mayor-warns-protesters

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Lonestarblue

(9,880 posts)
1. The mayor needs to determine who the protesters are.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 07:46 AM
Aug 2020

Are they truly the BLM protesters, or are they right-wing and white nationalist Trump supporters who are deliberately provoking violence? If BLM, is he working with local leaders of the protests to enlist their help to calm things and help stop the violence? What is he doing with the local police to help calm things? He may be doing all those things, but he’s right that whoever is causing the violence is playing into Trump’s narrative.

trueblue2007

(17,138 posts)
15. I live in Ptld & the Violent protestors need to be put in jail
Sun Aug 9, 2020, 06:11 PM
Aug 2020

the Violent people are not showing that black lives matter or for that matter.... that ANY life matters. Our city is now scared. I wonder if these violent people are those proud boy people that were showing violence in Vancouver WA few years back.

Anyway, on this speech, Mayor Wheeler is right on.

 

Devil Child

(2,728 posts)
4. "No cops. No prisons. Total abolition."
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 08:47 AM
Aug 2020

A recent slogan from protest organizers. This doesn’t sound like a winning campaign message to me. Thankful that Wheeler(anyone) is speaking up against destructive and violent activities.

IronLionZion

(45,259 posts)
5. Protestors may be well intentioned, but it's too late now
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 09:29 AM
Aug 2020

since violent agitators, white supremacists, and other groups with malicious agendas have created enough material to discredit all of it.

I would steer clear of any federal buildings or federal law enforcement since they have shown their lust for abuse. Tear gassing the moms and dads and beating the shit out of elderly veterans is way too much. They don't need an excuse. They like abusing Americans they don't like.

The Mouth

(3,123 posts)
6. There was a reason that MLK and his leadership team PLANNED
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:00 AM
Aug 2020

It was to prevent exactly the kind of stuff happening now.

Just sending out a tweet or social media blast, getting a few dozen or hundred angry people together, damned right it can devolve quickly.

An effective protest takes weeks of planning, would involve the leadership of the churches and social organizations, would be permitted and planned, and then makes a peaceful statement.

Just getting a group of people with grievances - no matter how legitimate - together at the same place and time is often counterproductive.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
7. Great Comment!!!!!
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:28 AM
Aug 2020

Great comment!!!!! Planning and organizing with community leaders is the way to go!!!!!!

IronLionZion

(45,259 posts)
8. Police still beat up MLK, John Lewis, and other civil rights marchers
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:40 AM
Aug 2020

I agree with you on planning, having clear agenda, prepared speeches, etc. are all good things.

But the general grievance against police brutality was clearly understood, and was met with lots more police brutality.

The Mouth

(3,123 posts)
11. Agreed
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 05:41 PM
Aug 2020

But having the rioting part not happen was a part of the way the MLK took the moral authority away from the cops. I think he was highly aware that it only takes a few assholes breaking windows and setting fires - and of course, these assholes are as often agents provocateurs as merely frustrated, unheard, and disempowered people acting out - It only takes a few incidents to give the media enough for a 'both sides do it' narrative.

We had a young man killed by the cops here in Santa Rosa, with much community outrage and soul searching, Andy Lopez. What I noticed at the protests and vigils was that the local leadership, churches, Latino community leaders keep a CLOSE eye on things. I saw several times the wanna-be black-clad 'anarchists' that show up to start chaos getting a very close view of a whole bunch of big guys from the local churches and community organizations who did NOT want crap to start.

It was precisely the nonviolence of the reaction to the police brutality that focused the whole world on the injustice. But MLK, along with Gandhi would point out that it's te very difficult of not responding violently and destructively that eventually wins the game of moral persuasion.

onetexan

(12,994 posts)
9. the violence has got to stop. It's time for the protesters to stop. The message has been taken
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:44 AM
Aug 2020

by the entire nation collectively. No need for violence.

 

Steelrolled

(2,022 posts)
13. It seems Wheeler is out of his depth
Sun Aug 9, 2020, 03:22 AM
Aug 2020

The idea that the so-called demonstrators care in any way about the election is laughable.

Portland needs better.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Portland mayor says prote...