http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2020/07/portland-police-union-president-says-the-community-has-had-enough-with-the-citys-nightly-protests.html
Hours before what is expected to be the 53rd straight night of protests in the city, the head of the Portland police union said the community has "had enough."
Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner, surrounded by 20 faith leaders, business owners, police officers and neighborhood residents, held a news conference in front of the union's offices in North Portland. On Saturday, protesters broke in and lit a fire inside. The building itself was covered with graffiti.
"The elected officials have condoned the destruction and chaos," said Turner. "They have placed their political agenda ahead of safety and welfare of the community. This must stop."
Demonstrations in Portland began almost two months ago following the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died in custody after a police officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes.
The police union has become a focal point for protesters, who see it as one of the power structures that prevents police reform. The union building, a symbol of that resistance, has been previously targeted by protestors.
President Donald Trump recently deployed federal officers to Portland, where they met nightly protests with munitions and gas.
"This is no longer about George Floyd, racial equity, social justice reform or the evolution of policing," Turner said. "This is about violence, rioting and destruction. Our city is under siege by rioters."
His comments echo those from the Trump administration, which has focused on Portland's demonstration.
Local and state leaders have vocally opposed the presence of federal officers in Portland, Oregon's attorney general plans to sue several federal law enforcement agencies over their actions, and the state's U.S. attorney has requested investigation into reported arrests of Portland protesters picked up in unmarked vehicles.
At the press conference Pastor J.J.W. Matt Hennessee of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church issued a call for protestors to have a "moratorium" on future demonstrations.
"We love you as God's children, but we don't like what you are doing," he said. "Tell us where to meet you so we can have a conversation about how to work together for solutions. Take Portland off the front page of newspapers around the world because of violence."
A Black woman listening to the press conference walked across North Lombard Avenue shouting, "lies, lies, lies."
"This is all B.S.," said Damesha Smith, 27. "It's all talk."
A police officer walked over to Smith, handed her his business card and asked if she wanted to talk.
She refused it.
"What are you going to do?" she asked. "It's B.S."
The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence
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