Portland’s mayor struck a new tone on Friday as he called for residents to help “unmask” people behind the continued violence in Oregon’s largest city.
In his most urgent appeal yet, Mayor Ted Wheeler encouraged whoever has information about the self-described anarchists who are committing crimes in late-night riots to contact the police.
The rabble rousers often show up to their so-called direct action events in cars. If anyone spots a license plate on one of the vehicle, they can give that information to the authorities, he added.
“Our job is to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them. I want to personally thank neighbors, family, friends, and others who have come forward with vital evidence. People know who these criminals are. They know what they’re up to,” Wheeler said during a virtual briefing.
The mayor also made clear that he was not asking people to become violent.
“If you see somebody engaged in criminal activity, and you can safely film it or take a photograph, please do so. To be clear, we’re asking people to be engaged in a way that is nonconfrontational, that is nonviolent,” he said.
