After Nearly 90 Days of Riots, OR Gov. Brown Creates “Forum”

After well over 81 (some say nearly 90) consecutive nights of riots, burnings, and mayhem in Portland, OR. Gov. Kate Brown has now created a community forum.

According to a release from Monday, Brown said:

 "Governor Kate Brown today released the details of a unified law enforcement plan to protect free speech and bring violence and arson to an end in Portland. With months of nightly protests stretching the Portland Police Bureau’s resources thin, additional local and state personnel, as well as federal resources, will give the Police Bureau the investigative capacity to arrest and charge those individuals who have engaged in violent or destructive acts and endangered public safety."

After night after night of building and car burning, riots, assaults on police, and general mayhem, several groups of anti-protesters came into downtown Portland Saturday night to try to protect some buildings and other properties. Patriot Prayer, out of Washington state and led by noted activist Joey Gibson, clashed with BLM protesters, and one of them was shot and killed. 

Then, Monday Brown announced the creation of this "forum," and she made some rather ironic comments concerning the fatal shooting:

“The right-wing group Patriot Prayer and self-proclaimed militia members drove into downtown Portland last night, armed and looking for a fight. Every Oregonian has the right to freely express their views without fear of deadly violence. I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists to bring more bloodshed to our streets."

Opponents and critics were quick to point out that for months, Mayor Ted Wheeler and Gov. Brown did virtually nothing to curb the nightly violence, protests, rioting and assaults on police, but as soon as someone is killed, they make a move.  NOT that they shouldn't have, but to place the blame on this incident is ironic.

Brown spelled out a number of areas where groups will meet and discuss ways to improve and rectify what has led to the protests, and made this comment as well:

“Change will not come overnight, and, as we have seen in these last months, it does not come easily either. But we are building a more just future. I will continue to work with local leaders, law enforcement, and community leaders to bring all voices to the table to help end the nightly confrontations—but that will only come if we commit ourselves to do the hard work to bring about real change and racial justice.”

To read more of what many say is a program that came three months too late, click on the button below.