After months of mollycoddling, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler vowed to be tough on Antifa, whose members engage in near-night campaigns of chaos, violence and destruction in the city.
“My good faith efforts to slow the climb were met with continued violence and even contempt for radical Antifa and anarchists,” Wheeler told a news conference Friday night. “In response, it will be necessary to use additional tools and push the limits of the tools we already have to end the destruction of crime and violence.”
“It is time to fight harder against those who are determined to destroy our community and take more risks in fighting illegality,” added Wheeler.
The mayor was granted a second term by voters in Portland last month, openly beating pro-Antifa candidate, Sarah Iannarone.
Wheeler’s press conference was prompted by a New Year’s Eve riot near Federal Court Mark O. Hatfield, who has been a frequent target of agitators.
“A meeting in downtown Portland turned into a riot. Participants threw various incendiary bombs at police officers and launched commercial-grade fireworks at the Federal Court and Justice Center ”, Portland police tweeted first day of new year.
Throughout 2020, Antifa protesters had a free rein in downtown Portland. The situation got so bad that President Trump sent federal troops to protect U.S. property in the city in July.
“We are trying to help Portland, not harm it. Their leadership, for months, lost control of anarchists and agitators. They are lacking in action. We must protect federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not just protesters, these are real! ”. Trump said at the time.