Portland Mayor Gives Police Carte Blanche To Tame Protesters
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has provided police with "all lawful means" to suppress violent riots in the occupied area of the city.
It is reported that the authorities were planning a mass eviction of the Black and the indigenous population, which eventually turned into months of protests.
"I am authorizing the Portland Police to use all lawful means to end the illegal occupation on North Mississippi Avenue and to hold those violating our community’s laws accountable," Wheeler wrote on Twitter.
We all agree many of our nation’s systems and structures are fundamentally racist and require significant reform. There’s a housing crisis, a health care crisis, an education crisis, an employment crisis, a mental health crisis, and an addiction crisis.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 9, 2020
Several heavily armed police squads immediately moved into the occupied zone and met with ordinary residents who did not want to leave their homes.
In a series of tweets, Wheeler sympathized with residents facing a racist system, but still called occupying private property “illegal”.
It’s time for the encampment and occupation to end. There are many ways to protest and work toward needed reform. Illegally occupying private property, openly carrying weapons, threatening and intimidating people are not among them.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 9, 2020
According to official information, the police have already arrested seven demonstrators and cordoned off the occupied zone.