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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was targeted by a viral video showing Antifa protesters blocking traffic and harassing drivers, but he supports the police's decision to watch from a distance without being involved.
"I was shocked by what I saw in the video, but I support the decision of the Portland Police Office not to intervene," he said at the same time. a press conference on Friday. "All this incident will be investigated."
The video posted by journalist Andy C. Ngo showed protesters, including members of Antifa and Black Lives Matter, blocking an intersection and attempting to direct traffic while motorcycle patrolmen watched them from a block of traffic. houses.
At one point, activists chased Kent Houser, 74, after taking a right turn against their will, pounding his Lexus money and smashing a window. The car has suffered thousands of dollars worth of damage, he told the Oregonian.
Still, Wheeler emphasized that "motorists need to feel completely safe to come to downtown Portland."
I was shocked by what I saw in this clip and I support the decisions of the @PortlandPolice. I trust them I believe them as law enforcement professionals who must weigh complex legal and security issues, not only for people on the street, but for themselves as well. -TW
– Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) October 12, 2018
Protesters did not obtain a permit until the October 6 march to protest the death of Patrick Kimmons, a 27-year-old black man shot dead by police on September 30th. The shooting is under investigation.
The mayor was accused of having adopted a pernicious attitude during protests that regularly cross the liberal enclave, such as the summer occupation of the building of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which saw the Portland police refuse his help if federal agents were not in danger.
This is the type of street anarchy that regularly occurs at my home. Here is a video of October 6 showing Antifa directing traffic in the city center and threatening people who do not obey the violence. Mayor @tedwheelerwho really runs this city? https://t.co/OgjZNByxat
– Andy C. Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 8, 2018
"This is the kind of street anarchy that happens regularly at home," tweeted Mr. Ngo.
Riots erupted on Saturday night as Antifa activists quarreled with protesters running for a "law and order lightning march" and organized the right wing Patriot Prayer group.
Mr. Wheeler, who also holds the title of Police Commissioner, took a look at an unflattering press coverage, such as a Fox News article titled: "Crowd Rule? The leftist protesters invade Portland Street. "
"I'm ready to accept the Fox News critics all day," he said. "But I'm not willing to accept Fox News's criticism of the men and women of the Portland Police Office."
The mayor argued that law enforcement is a hopeless situation.
"It's the story of Goldilocks and the two bears. The porridge is either too hot or too cold, "Wheeler told reporters. "At any time in this city, the police are accused of being too harsh and intervening too quickly or not to intervene quickly enough."
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