Riot declared after windows smashed in Portland protests

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SARA CLINE and GILLIAN FLACCUS

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a riot Friday night after authorities said protesters smashed windows and burglarized businesses during demonstrations that started earlier in the day after police fatally shot a man while responding to reports of a person with a gun.

The vandalism downtown came after the Friday morning police shooting but also was part of vigils and demonstrations already planned for the night in the name of people killed in other police shootings nationwide. They include 13-year-old Adam Toledo of Chicago and Daunte Wright, a Black man in Minneapolis.

Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis told reporters earlier in the day that a white man in his 30s was shot and killed by police, who opened fire with a gun and weapons that fire non-lethal projectiles.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene in Lents Park, which is in a leafy, residential neighborhood of the city.



A Portland Police officer stand by following a police involved shooting of a man at Lents Park, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Portland, Ore. Police fatally shot a man in the city park Friday morning after responding to reports of a person with a gun, authorities said. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian/The Oregonian via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/portland-shootings-police-oregon-ted-wheeler-8ee5d6181cbba0e67c669c773cfc68cf

[Lonestarblue]

1. I'm not sure these Portland protests are accomplishing anything.

They give the right wing ammunition to categorize BLM protesters as violent criminals, and that just defeats the purpose of the protests. I’m sure black people feel extreme anger over police violence and murders, but lawlessness is counterproductive. I wonder if right-wing agitators are still part of the destruction to give the protests the appearance of violence and looting.

[blm]

2. RightWing extremists and anarchists shared goal is

disrupt governance and cause chaos. They are fine with people blaming BLM and “antifascists” for the violence. They WANT a war in the streets.

[speak easy]

21. ...

[McKim]

4. They are trying to accomplish the destruction of my beloved city

They are trying to destroy my beloved city. They want to destroy Liberal/Left Portland as an example. Remember the Right Wing hates cities and especially liberal ones!!!! This has nothing to do with noble political causes and everything to do with "owning the Libs."

[question everything]

16. From Portland, a liberal's lament - Nicholas Kristof

As an Oregonian, I've always been proud of this picture-postcard metropolis, so I've been pained to see it portrayed as a war zone or dying city, and doubly pained when a local businessman recently recounted to me his effort to recruit an executive from out of state.

The executive came for a visit — but, when she saw today's Portland, with its homeless camps and boarded-up shops downtown, declined the job.

https://www.startribune.com/from-portland-a-liberal-s-lament/600046437/

[oldsoftie]

10. If the problem was RW agitators it seems some would have been arrested each time.

No, these are anarchists causing the problem. They dont CARE about rule of law or safety.
They will riot for any reason.

The RW kept saying it was "Antifa" who rioted Jan 6th. Until only ONE linked to any left wing group was arrested and the hundreds more arrested were ALL trumpers.

[question everything]

14. Regrdless, OR governor should call the National Guard

[oldsoftie]

23. Totally agree. But likely wont happen.

It'll be viewed as "being heavy handed"
Argh

[quakerboy]

27. Thats a terrible idea

Nat guard is not needed. Portland does not need an occupying army. Thanks anyway.

[question everything]

30. The guard is not an "occupying army." Members of the guard are your neighbours

And co-workers. But, of course, you know this.

[quakerboy]

32. the the context of being used to put down protests.

and particularly in context of being used to reinforce another occupying force attacking protestors, they certainly are.

But then you know this.

[quakerboy]

25. Why would it seem that way?

The police here are quite good at making sure they dont pick up their "friends". Its been documented they let them know where not to be and when not to be there to avoid clashing with the RW infiltrators. Not to mention the straight out police out of uniform that infiltrate the protests

[pamdb]

18. riots

I still think that cost us a couple of seats in the house.

[McKim]

3. Yep, Right Wing Provocateurs and Exteme Left Nihilistics

As a third generation Portlander I am so angry. I have been working so hard to help Portland recover. We have a city government that has a plan and a competent former mayor is carrying out the plan at the direction of the mayor.

The problem is one of publicity and the repeat "demonstration" by violent elements that seem bent more on destruction than building a better world. The Black Community and those who are working as builders of a better world have publicly denounced these "demonstrators" as not helping the cause. Some of the destroyers in the past have been young whites who quickly smash and run. My question is why aren't the cops arresting these criminals? Windows were smashed and fires started, but no one is in jail? What's wrong with this picture?

My husband and I have been walking downtown for all this past year and have never felt afraid.
We regularly shop and eat take out from restaurants and have encouraging chats with small business owners downtown to encourage them. We even brought flowers and good wishes to a restauranteur whose windows had been smashed. I am not giving up on my beloved city.

[abqtommy]

5. This is the first time I've read the words "Exteme Left Nihilistics" so I did a search to

find out something about that. So far it doesn't sound productive. Thanks!

[McKim]

17. A Term I Made Up

That is a term I made up to describe these destructive youth. I know they are angry, that they haven't had an even break in life and I am sad about what today's youth have to face but I can't tolerate the violence and the destruction that is hurting Portland. They cannot win!!!

[abqtommy]

20. It's a term I found when I did a search on DUCK DUCK GO!

[blm]

6. Definitely an agenda. The constant provocation is apparent.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

8. Thanks for that update.

It helps to hear from people seeing it first hand.

Stay safe.

[Polybius]

9. Come to NYC

We're still nice and liberal, and we don't destroy things.

[LiberalLovinLug]

15. There is no such thing as "Extreme Left Nihilistics"

I agree about the Right Wing Provocateurs, they even admit they do it. Even police have been caught using provocateurs to make the protesters look bad.

But those are two different groups. "Extreme Left" and "Nihilistics".
At least how I'd define them. Doesn't mean both might be still represented in the protests.

I'd personally define the "Extreme Left" as pure Marxist/Leninists or even the International Socialists organization. Those that believe only a violent revolution will accomplish real change. Where the Billionaires are "defunded". Where Banks and large industry is taken over by the State.
And subsequently all aspects of citizens lives are dictated by elected officials. Ideally staying democratic as well.

Nihilistics go hand in hand with Anarchists. While the extreme left is certain that if we just empower the common people through owning their own economy, with greater participation in government, a sunny future is assured, ........these creatures basically have given up all hope and believe the opposite. That no form of government works, so one might as well tear it all down and make it survival of the fittest.

[abqtommy]

22. See my reply #20: "Extreme Left Nihilistics" is a term I found when I did a search

on DUCK DUCK GO!

[quakerboy]

26. Can I just say EWWW

My credentials are the same as yours, but the view looks a LOT different from here. We have a terrible excuse for a mayor who doesn't seem to give a hoot about the citizens of the city unless they are part of the developer class funneling him money. Our city government is in disarray at best.

Ive also been out walking and observing. Ive never felt afraid. EXCEPT when the police show up en mass and start shooting flash bangs and teargas at random folk. Ive had them drop flash bangs nearly on me.. when I was over a city block away from a protest.

Ted has done nothing to reign the violence in. He is the police commissioner, and he has utterly failed at his job. The answers to your question is pretty obvious. Why arent the cops arresting these criminals?
1) they dont want to arrest the RW agitators, as they are primarily seen as allies by officers
2) they are primarily white and violent. Theres little motivation on the part of PPB to arrest them, and potential consequences or danger in doing so
3) The biggest number of the violent crowd are the "rebelling" children of the donor class and of the police themselves. Theres a reason that crowd had access to gas masks and other gear from day 1 of the protests, when the rest of the community was struggling to get their hands on basic paper masks to keep themselves safe. And arresting them would actually rouse Ted to action, as his donors would start squacking and money would stop flowing.

Ive no use for the Anarchists. Ive no use for the violent RW infiltrators. Ive no use for Ted and his owners. They are all one and the same, driving the deterioration of this city without a care for its average citizens.

[Thunderbeast]

7. I don't know if it is related...

but vandalism against RVs and SUVs is on the rise in Portland.

My daughter's small Honda was torched yesterday while it sat in front of her house. It is a total loss. Fire investigators report that arson targeting vehicles is on the rise.

My small camper van has had tires slashed four times.

I am very sad for the current situation in the city I love. I see little difference between the young (mostly white) people acting in rage here, and the angry men with limited opportunity in the "Arab Street" that have been a feature of nightly news for years. Favellas are growing along streets and any open spaces. Graffiti scars every available surface. Mental health services are scarce. Property crimes are not investigated...citizens are expected to protect themselves with fortifications, door cams, and insurance.

Policing in Portland needs dramatic reform...starting with de-militatization and better links to the neighborhoods.

We are all suffering from PTSD caused by four years of tyrany aind the disruptions of the pandemic. The anger is palpable.

Without opportunity, young people will continue to act out.

[oldsoftie]

11. Portland's unemployment rate is about the national average. There's no excuse for acts like this.

Look whats being torched; SUVs & RVs. Those are looked at as "rich folks" vehicles. Remember the ELF torching an entire lot of SUVs several years ago?
These people are criminals because its what they believe; not because they dont have any opportunities. Lack of opportunity may lead one to STEAL something to try to get cash, but they achieve nothing by destroying it.
When you dont investigate property crimes, all crime escalates. No fear of punishment leads to bigger crimes. Until the city cracks down, look for more of the same.
I dont like it, but thats the reality. The coming months & years will prove me right or wrong.

[rockfordfile]

28. I agree

[DENVERPOPS]

12. Just as in past vandalism

the right wing sends in people dressed like the rioters, and they do the vandalism to make it look like the demonstrators.
Remember that guy who was filmed walking down the front of a business with a ball peen hammer breaking store front windows as he walked. The news people followed him, and found out he was actually a cop in that city creating a reason for his PD buddies to be able to go after the demonstrators.......

WASF

[Initech]

13. Ugh... I thought we'd be done with this shit by now.

[BadGimp]

24. NOW they've gone too far...

They are messing up my favorite baseball park which happens to be the home of the Portland Pickles professional baseball team.

Do not mess with my Pickles!!

[cinematicdiversions]

29. The local Apple store made itself a gathering for BLM inspired art protest artifacts.

The protestors burned it to the ground.