The Portland Police union in north Portland was broken into and set on fire by antifa rioters. A riot has been declared. pic.twitter.com/kp9JucufA3
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 19, 2020
The Police Association office in Portland, OR, was set on fire Saturday night amid broader protests that have ravaged the city for weeks.
Authorities say that around 10:45pm last night, individuals broke into the Portland Police Association office and ignited a fire “within a moments.” Police declared the situation a riot soon thereafter. Several people were arrested and officers were able to distinguish the fire.
Antifa started fires in the street outside the Portland police union hall before breaking inside and setting it on fire. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/Ksw1uTp2v1
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 19, 2020
Portland has had widespread, and at times violent, protests for the better part of two months. In an effort to quell the unrest the Department of Homeland Security has sent in armed personnel to protect federal buildings and make arrests.
Antifa seek violent confrontation w/law enforcement. When they get it, biased media & politicians say police incited violence.
After trying to smash their way inside Portland federal courthouse, they call for officers to come out. Video: @ShelbyTalcott pic.twitter.com/CxxnSbCGOz
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 19, 2020
Members of the DHS special security group have been using unmarked cars to drive around downtown Portland and detain protesters since at least July 13.
What is this? They are kidnapping people. pic.twitter.com/M0AnuZ1GSi
— Cozca (@KohzKah) July 15, 2020
The deployment has become a flash point between local and federal officials, up to and including President Trump.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf recently defended the crackdown. “Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city,” he wrote in a letter on Thursday.
“A federal courthouse is a symbol of justice. To attack it is to attack America.”
Today, Portland Mayor, Democrat Ted Wheeler called on federal forces to leave Portland, saying their presence is “leading to more violence and more vandalism” and is “not helping the situation at all.”
“They’re not wanted here, we haven’t asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave,” he.
The President however defended the deployment, saying federal agents are there to protect the city not to cause more violence.
We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2020
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit against federal agencies on Friday over the detention of protesters in her state and a similar lawsuit was filed recently by the the American Civil Liberties Union.
Wheeler said Sunday he agrees that the Trump administration is breaking the law when it comes to his city.
“The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland are abhorrent,” he said.