Federal agents become involved in Portland protests

(JULY 17, 2020) Every night since May, people have been protesting in downtown and Southeast Portland. They are angry about police brutality and racism. They support the "Black Lives Matter" movement. The protesters want government to make changes to police departments and law enforcement.

Often the demonstrations are peaceful; sometimes there is violence and vandalism. State and city police have tried to control the demonstrations, maintain safety, and protect property. There has been much tension from both sides.

This week, federal law enforcement officers arrived in Portland. They drove unmarked vehicles downtown. They used tear gas and other devices to push demonstrators away from federal buildings. The federal officers shot one demonstrator with a "less lethal" gun, and that demonstrator was taken to the hospital with skull fractures.

In other parts of downtown, the federal agents stopped protesters and sometimes arrested them. People say the federal law enforcement officers did not identify themselves or explain what they were doing. Sometimes they arrested people who were not near the protests or who were doing nothing wrong, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Many people believe that President Donald Trump sent the federal officers to Portland. They think he only wants more attention because he faces re-election in November. Ted Wheeler, the mayor of Portland, and Kate Brown, the governor of Oregon, believe that the federal officers are making the situation worse.

“This is an attack on our democracy,” said Mayor Wheeler, who asked the federal government to remove its officers from Portland. The federal government refused the request.

“They are provoking confrontation for political purposes,” said Governor Brown, who also asked the federal government to withdraw. "This political theater from President Trump has nothing to do with public safety. The president is failing to lead this nation. Now he is deploying federal officers to patrol the streets of Portland in a blatant abuse of power by the federal government."

However, the U.S. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security disagrees. He also visited Portland this week. He said, “Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city. ... A federal courthouse is a symbol of justice ... To attack it is to attack America.”

The U.S. Attorney for Oregon announced Friday that he would investigate the matter.