Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other leaders on Friday addressed the public about protests that have drawn thousands to the city’s core.
Thursday’s protests marked the eighth straight night of demonstrations in Oregon’s largest city. They come as part of an ongoing, massive wave of protests that has swept the nation after the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by police in Minneapolis.
Protesters united against police brutality on the city’s east and west sides Thursday, demonstrating without incident for hours before unrest broke out overnight and 12 were arrested.
Wheeler reflected on Portland’s recent protests, saying they’re unlike demonstrations he’s seen during his tenure as mayor. He said protesters span all demographics and demand justice and reconciliation — “and they want to do it in partnership with government.”
He also acknowledged black leaders who have "shared their pain and their resilience and their ideas for moving forward.”
“I am listening," he said. "I will keep listening. And I’ll make sure that the city of Portland takes action.”
He also teased undescribed police reform and accountability actions he plans to share next week.
Portland Police Bureau Deputy Chief Chris Davis said during the news conference that authorities have seen a distinction between protest groups and those who splinter off from the demonstrations and stay downtown after the events are over.
Such “agitators,” as police have called them, set multiple fires and threw things at officers overnight.
Several drivers were driving recklessly while officers were dispersing the group, going the wrong way on a one-way street and speeding as fast as 55 mph downtown, according to police.
Some had their lights off, police said, and pedestrians appeared to be nearly struck several times.
Officers stopped three drivers. Each was arrested. The cars were towed.
Police said their sound truck “became a target of the group’s aggression” as officers continued to disperse the crowd. They said lasers were shined at the driver and rocks and glass bottles were thrown at the truck.
Davis said police used a Long Range Acoustic Device a couple times as items were being thrown at them.
The LRAD, as it’s known, serves as a public address speaker and a device that emits a tone that’s “very hard to be around,” Davis said. The tone, he said, is intended to get people to leave the area.
He said the police bureau’s use of the device is rare and that the bureau hasn’t always found it to be effective.
Wheeler and Davis both spoke about the use of tear gas during Portland protests.
“Lets be honest — it’s ugly. It looks ugly,” Wheeler said. “Nobody who knows this community wants to see that.”
He said he’d support a ban on tear gas if police had a viable alternative that wouldn’t lead to higher levels of physical force.
Right now, he said, he’s not there.
Other developments:
- Markisha Smith, director of the Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights, reflected on “a heavy week” that featured Floyd’s memorial, the late Breonna Taylor’s birthday and the ongoing protest movement. The movement, she said, feels different than others. "It feels like a strong wave is sweeping our country for the first time,” she said. She offered responses to questions she’s gotten about what comes next and how people can help.
- Wheeler said he was “deeply moved” by Floyd’s memorial service and encouraged people to watch it.
The news conference can be viewed in the video above.
-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015
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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler holds news conference about continued protests (watch) - OregonLive
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