Why Portland? The city's history of protest takes an exceptional turn

DHS Dec. Chad Wolf said the protests in Portland were different from the “normal criminal activity” that is being witnessed in cities like Chicago, Kansas City and other metro areas across the country.

“They're coming armed with rocks, bottles, baseball bats, power tools, commercial grade fireworks, eliciting that violence and targeting their violence on federal courthouses and federal law enforcement officers,” Wolf said of Portland.

He added: “That's very different than what's going on in Chicago, places like Chicago, Albuquerque, Kansas City. That is where you see normal criminal activity, street crime, what we say regarding gangs and drug dealers.”

A number of lawmakers from New York to Portland have spoken out against the Trump administration sending the agents to their cities, especially following reports that unidentified federal agents detained protesters in Portland and took them away in unmarked vehicles. Portland has been hit with near-daily demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism since the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

Local authorities also have complained the surges have only exacerbated tensions, and criminal justice experts say the efforts defy explanation because of the unprecedented moment America is living through — with a pandemic, historic unemployment and a mass reckoning over racism and how people of color are treated by police.

“The president is attacking progressive cities with troops who are unwelcome and unskilled,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said last week in a letter signed by 16 mayors calling on Trump to reverse his orders. “Militarized agents are terrorizing the American people. We must stand together for peace and reform, and against these un-American tactics.”

Wolf said on Sunday that if officials in Oregon did their jobs, then the federal government would not have to send in its agents.

“We see city leadership there has fostered an environment that allows these criminals to do this throughout the night, untouched, absolutely untouched. It's time for Portland to join other responsible cities around this country working with federal law enforcement to address this violence,” he said.

Wolf added: “We need Portland to step up to the plate, do their responsibility and work with us to address violent criminal activity occurring every night.”

This shit is totally out of control. This is not protesting, this a flat out assault on law enforcement. Officers should be given the ok to defend themselves by ANY MEANS necessary. It’s not just Portland and Seattle. We knew that, but here’s a some reporting that drives it home and will certainly make you furious about the state of things around here and especially out west.

No wonder Joe Rogan is moving to the great Republic of Texas.

KTLA reports:

Los Angeles police on Sunday said they made four arrests after a clash between civilians and police followed “peaceful” protests in downtown L.A. the day before.

According to LAPD, some people within a large crowd of protesters started to “direct physical assaults on officers” and vandalized property just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Protesters also walked onto the 101 Freeway.

That’s just for starters. They continue:

Police used batons on protesters, footage shows. At one point, an officer was seen speaking to a woman holding up a phone before pushing her. A man then appeared to knock the officer to the ground before a melee between police and civilians ensued.

Melee is right. Look at this anarchy.

“Four officers and three protesters sustained minor injuries, according to the Police Department,” says KTLA.

Also the machete:

Authorities arrested three people for alleged battery on a police officer and one person, who allegedly had a machete, on suspicion of causing a disturbance, LAPD said.

Here’s an additional source.

UPDATE: Minor injuries reported in Downtown Los Angeles protests Saturday. 4 officers/3 protesters minor injuries. 4 people arrested: 3 on suspicion of battery on a police officer -- and 1 on suspicion possession of a machete, for causing a disturbance.

— Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) July 26, 2020

It’s actually right far past “out of hand” at this point, y’all. To use the Texan: it’s loco out there.