The mayor of Portland extended a state of emergency for the city through this weekend in an attempt to curtail potential violence and defacement of property. The state of emergency, which gives Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) power to declare a curfew and close public facilities, was first declared on Tuesday, the day of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
“Tonight, the anarchists have called for more destruction,” Wheeler said at a news conference on Friday afternoon. “I’ve directed the police bureau to arrest and engage illegal activity whenever they can safely do so.”
Wheeler also threatened anyone committing destruction in Oregon’s biggest city, and declared, “Let’s make it hurt them a little bit.” In his strongest words since the regular George Floyd protests and riots began nearly a year ago, Wheeler finally said he would crack down on Antifa and black bloc extremists who have terrorized the city.
