Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti backed violent demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, referring to mobs that have attacked a federal courthouse as “the best of our democratic ideals” and slamming federal law enforcement’s response.
In a tweet, Garcetti said:
Demonstrators for racial justice represent the best of our democratic ideals. The President’s unilateral deployment of federal forces betrays them — and does nothing to keep us safe.
L.A. stands with our friends in Portland.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) July 23, 2020
Portland has been the scene of nightly violent riots for weeks. Black Lives Matter “protesters” have pelted officers with bottles, rocks, and bricks. The “protests” have included Black Lives Matter activists and members of the militant Antifa group.
Their latest target is the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse, which they have vandalized and attempted to set on fire. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also the local police commissioner, has done very little to stop them. In fact, on Wednesday night, he joined the rioters in solidarity — and was assaulted by members of the crowd as he left the area.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting pursuant to 40 U.S.C. 1315, has sent federal officers to Portland to protect the federal property.
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