Oregon congressman Earl Blumenauer (D.) said Tuesday morning that Portland isn’t "out of control," but rather, "there are some people who have strong feelings," after protesters attacked federal officers with fireworks this weekend.
"Portland, Oregon, is not out of control. To be sure there are some people who have strong feelings," Blumenauer, who represents most of Portland in Oregon's Third Congressional District, said. "There are some who have done things that are inappropriate and unlawful, but that is the challenge of our local officials and our state officials to manage it, not having somebody unwelcome, uninvited, and unprepared coming in to take this difficult situation and make it worse."
This past weekend, rioters barricaded federal officers inside the Hatfield federal courthouse and proceeded to launch fireworks toward the building. They also set fire to a Portland police union building.
For more than 50 nights straight following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, anti-police protesters in Portland have besieged the city, harassing officers and vandalizing buildings. President Donald Trump deployed federal officers to the area two weeks ago in an attempt to squelch the rioters.
Over the summer, rioters have targeted aircraft with lasers, set fire to police stations, graffitied other government buildings, and assaulted police officers and construction crews working to repair damage to the city.