The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Portland mayor was hit by tear gas after speaking to protesters about the presence of federal agents

2020-07-23T17:48:17.588Z


After almost two months of continuous protests against racism and police violence, protests continue in Portland, amid the presence of federal agents, whose presence has been f ...


Video alarm of federal agents operating in Portland 2:52

(CNN) - Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was hit by tear gas in the city center early Thursday morning, according to video and Twitter posts by a journalist for The New York Times.

"It hurt. It is difficult to breathe. I can tell you 100% honestly that I didn't see anything that triggered this response, ”Wheeler told The New York Times camera. "I am not afraid, but I am angry."

It is unknown, at this time, who is responsible for launching the tear gas and, so far, there is nothing to indicate that the mayor was the target. CNN has contacted the mayor's office for additional comments.

The video appeared after Wheeler joined the crowd to listen to protesters and answer their questions after violent clashes between protesters and federal forces.

Wheeler spoke out about the presence of federal agents, who have been deployed to his city by the Trump administration and are fiercely opposed by local leaders across the state and nation. The president said the effort was to protect federal property, but protesters say the action itself has fueled public outrage. Demonstrations in the city, many of which have been peaceful, have been ongoing for more than 50 days.

"It is an unconstitutional occupation. The tactics that have been used by our federal agents are abominable. They did not act with probable cause, the people for whom they are being arrested are not told and their basic constitutional rights are denied, ”the mayor told the crowd.

Wheeler's comments come after the state attorney requested an investigation into why some protesters were seized by unlicensed federal agents and placed in unmarked vehicles.

  • The protests in Portland, Oregon, complete nearly two months. So they started
Portland: request to investigate federal agents for protests 1:29

Clashes continue in Portland

The protests in downtown Portland largely center around the Hatfield Courthouse, and are located within a relatively small section of the city.

"That is a use of police force, of the federal police, for political purposes," Wheeler said. "That is not an acceptable solution anywhere in the United States," the mayor told the crowd.

Some of those Wheeler's comments echoed similar concerns.

"They have repeatedly violated [my rights], shot me with tear gas and ammunition, my body is bruised and swollen," a protester who identified himself as a high school administrator told the mayor. "I want to know what are you going to do, commit to me, as a committed educator that I am to my community, to make sure that my right to the First Amendment is confirmed?"

The Mayor replied, “I will do absolutely everything in my power to get rid of the federal soldiers and reform the Portland Police Office. We need to do both. "

Thief ends up on fire in Portland 0:23

A unanimous vote to end police cooperation with federal agencies

Wednesday night's discussion followed a unanimous vote by the Portland City Council to end cooperation between the Portland Police Bureau and federal agencies tasked with protecting federal property, Commissioner Chloe Eudaly said in a statement. .

"Today, I presented two resolutions: one to cease cooperation between the Portland Police Office and the federal occupants, and the other to affirm the rights of members of the press and legal observers covering protests against police brutality," the statement said. "I am pleased to share that both resolutions were unanimously adopted by the City Council."

Eudaly said the resolution could serve as an example for other cities and as a "call to national action."

"I stand in solidarity with the protesters who defend the lives of blacks, who demand racial justice and the transformation of our justice system, but whether or not they agree with the protesters, if you believe in the United States Constitution, they must oppose the actions of this president and the violent repression of people who exercise their constitutional rights, ”said Eudaly.

"Something out of a dystopian science fiction series"

In considering the current situation, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said it was "terrible to see" that the Trump administration deployed federal agents for the protests.

"This looks like something out of a dystopian science fiction series about a police state in the United States, but it is real," Garcetti said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Garcetti said Wheeler told him that violence and protests were starting to subside and that "federal agents have done nothing but stir up trouble."

"This is completely offline, it may be unconstitutional," said Garcetti.

"It is one thing if a city asks for federal aid, it is another thing for federal agents to enter without invitation," Garcetti said.

- CNN's Sarah Moon contributed to this report.

Black Lives MatterProtest in Portland

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2020-07-23

You may like

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-28T06:04:53.137Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.