Gov. Brown comments on Portland protest turned riot

Governor Kate Brown issued a statement Friday critical of demonstrators who instigated violence in Portland and praising law enforcement for efforts to quell the riot that broke out. The state Republican Party chairman said the mayor should resign.

Here’s her statement in response to post-election protests:

“Oregon has a proud and strong history of civic participation, protest, and advocacy. It’s part of the Oregon way to make our voices heard, but the right to peacefully assemble should not be clouded by attempts to instigate lawlessness.

“I commend our law enforcement officers and local leaders for preserving peace and keeping our communities safe. What defines and distinguishes us as Oregonians and Americans is our willingness to come together to work through our challenges. We must do so now, following the election and looking forward to the future.”

In light of the riots in Portland on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bill Currier issued a statement calling for the immediate resignation of Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

“It is unconscionable that Portland city commissioners, according to media reports, not only encouraged demonstrators violently protesting against the results of a legitimate election, but actively enabled them by not ordering the police to take action as the protesters overtook area freeways. This is a dereliction of duty. If Mayor Hales will not stand for law and order and do his job to protect Portland residents from violent rioters, then he should immediately resign.”

“Over the past two days, rioters have illegally disrupted commerce and traffic, smashed cars and windows, destroyed private property and committed numerous crimes. The protests have devolved into chaos, as Portland Police declared riot status on Thursday evening. Numerous reports have emerged of people stopped in traffic on closed freeways, facing harassment by passing rioters. The lack of action by City Hall is a clear factor in the escalation of the riots.

Currier also called on the Democratic Party of Oregon to join the Oregon Republican Party in denouncing these riots. “Republicans and Democrats alike should be united in their understanding that the First Amendment affords all Americans the right to peaceably assemble; but when that assembly becomes intimidating, violent, or criminal, it is no longer a legal protest.”

While Hales is set to leave office in January, the GOP said “a crisis situation exists in Portland right now. Hales has proven himself incapable of dealing properly with this protest, as he’s done previously. It is vital that Portland City Council take its responsibility to the safety of Portland residents seriously.”

Meanwhile, an organizer of Portland’s anti-Donald Trump protest distanced himself Friday from the demonstration that left downtown scrawled with graffiti and shattered glass.

Portland Resistance spokesman Gregory McKelvey said the activist group hoped to provide a constructive outlet for the shared fear, anger and frustration that followed Tuesday’s election. He said the vandalism late Thursday had nothing to do with his group.

Video shows it was largely committed by young men with masks partially covering their faces.

Police described them as anarchists who ignored the calls of peaceful protesters to stop destroying property. More than two dozen people were arrested.

McKelvey apologized to businesses that were damaged. He said the group planned to help clean up and raise money for repairs. A rally for healing has been scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Multiple media outlets on the scene livestreamed early Friday as police fired rubber baton rounds into a small crowd of remaining protesters that refused to disperse after an anti-Donald Trump demonstration in Portland.

News video showed people confronting officers and throwing a garbage can and other items toward them. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was hit by the rubber devices.

Police were broadcasting to people remaining in the area that they should immediately disperse or be “subject to arrest and the use of riot-control agents.” They said they used less lethal munitions such as OC spray and vapor (pepper spray), rubber ball “distraction devices” and rubber baton rounds to break up the protest.

By early Friday morning, police reported on Twitter having arrested 26 people during the riot, as they publicly labeled it earlier in the night. They said they would have an update on arrests and charges by late morning.

Thousands of peaceful protesters left the scene hours earlier. The streets were quiet again by 2 a.m.

The protest in downtown Portland escalated late Thursday night when officers began physically pushing the crowd back, arresting people and using flash bangs and explosions and what appeared to be some kind of gas to disperse crowds.

Portland police on Twitter called the protest an unlawful assembly, saying protesters were throwing objects at police.

Police said after several orders to disperse, officers used “less lethal munitions” in order to make arrests and move the crowd. Police who had said about 4,000 people were participating in demonstrations estimated that about 1,500 people were still marching as of 11 p.m.

Multiple news outlets reported that police detained several people at the anti-Trump protest turned riot after some protesters broke out the windows of businesses and started a dumpster fire in Portland’s downtown Pearl District.

At 10 p.m. Thursday, police told protesters who had not returned to Pioneer Courthouse Square that they were under arrest.

Police had previously told people who wanted to continue to peacefully demonstrate to head back to the square. Media outlets showed at least one woman who appeared handcuffed walking away with officers while other protesters appeared to scatter.

Demonstrations were continuing in the square as well as on nearby city streets, with protesters chanting a myriad of phrases including, “We reject the president-elect.”

Police had said that due to extensive criminal and dangerous behavior, the protest against President-elect Donald Trump was being considered a riot.

They said they were taking increasing reports of vandalism and aggressive behavior. Multiple news outlets were posting videos of people in heated arguments. One video showed an altercation after a woman threw laundry detergent at protesters.

Police said multiple people with bats were reported in the crowd and urged people not wanting to be associated with protesters to leave the area.

Police tweeted that “anarchist” protesters were taking rocks from a construction site and breaking windows in the city’s Pearl District. They said many in the crowd were trying to stop the vandals from destroying property, but they were refusing.

The Portland protest was among many that occurred across the country.

Police were advising people to discontinue the use of illegal fire devices and said multiple people with bats were reported in the crowd.

Police said people not wanting to be associated with protesters should leave the area.

Oregon Department of Transportation officials closed freeways in the area intermittently as a precaution.

ODOT said portions of Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 were closed after protesters began marching. Officials urged travelers to use caution and watch for people in unexpected places on roads.

Portland Police tweeted to those stuck in traffic near demonstrations to stay in their vehicles, remain calm and refrain from engaging people as they pass by.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said earlier in the day he supports the peaceful protest of people exercising their Constitutional rights, but cautioned that walking on to freeways and blocking light rail lines is dangerous for everyone involved.

KOIN-TV reported (https://goo.gl/dTyISC ) one protester was arrested Wednesday for throwing a Molotov cocktail into a bonfire.