Mixed messages, mounting tensions as Proud Boys and antifa prepare to face off in Portland

As Portland’s police chief released a podcast Thursday saying the city has become a magnet for demonstrators brawling over ideological differences and asking the community not to condone their violence, representatives of the right-wing Proud Boys sent their own statement to city officials and the media.

They claimed they’re not coming to Portland to cause problems but to “expose’’ the tactics of anti-fascists.

Joe Biggs, a Florida resident and a former staffer of the right-wing site Infowars who is organizing Portland’s Aug. 17 “End to Domestic Terrorism’’ demonstration, said in an interview that he’s now telling everybody “to tone it down. Don’t go too far. Let’s show up. Let’s be adult human beings.’’

In the next breath, Biggs added, “Now if someone on the other side provokes us, then, yeah, we’re going to defend ourselves.’’

Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2019/08/chief-says-portland-is-becoming-a-magnet-for-brawling-political-protests-while-out-of-state-proud-boys-send-message-to-mayor-city-commissioners.html