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Saturday night fire turns protest to riot: Today’s top takeaways - oregonlive.com
It appears that the mayor is finally going to be compelled to do something about the problem. Ignoring it didn't make it go away. Blaming federal officers protecting courthouses didn't work. The bad actors claiming to be protesters are just getting more bold - and dangerous.
I do not understand why the mayor doesn't just issue a curfew until this cools off. The activity is all happening at night.
While several groups of protesters gathered peacefully across the city on Saturday night, a small group of about 20 people lit a fire inside the police union building in North Portland.
The action drew police to declare a riot and advance on the crowd using impact munitions and physical force, a pattern that’s unfolded on several recent nights in which a small group provoke police by damaging property and throwing objects at officers.
Mayor Ted Wheeler is expected to address the situation this week, though it’s unclear how. In a press conference last week, the mayor vowed that he would hold the small group committing criminal activities accountable.
After they arrived, a few people moved a dumpster to the middle of the street, tipped it over and set its cardboard contents on fire. A few others tagged the boarded-up union building with graffiti or pounded on the plywood.
Around 11 p.m., about 20 people turned their focus to building’s front door while others stood to block their actions from view. Videos on social media showed some people had punched a hole in the plywood and door. A fire was burning cardboard and wood on the floor near the door.
It appears that the mayor is finally going to be compelled to do something about the problem. Ignoring it didn't make it go away. Blaming federal officers protecting courthouses didn't work. The bad actors claiming to be protesters are just getting more bold - and dangerous.
I do not understand why the mayor doesn't just issue a curfew until this cools off. The activity is all happening at night.