PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 20: Portland police stand guard as tensions rise with a small group of protesters on April 20, 2021 in Portland, United States. ( Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:15 PM PT – Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Portland, Oregon has been shut down amid ongoing violence by terror groups Antifa and BLM. On Wednesday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler extended the emergency declaration for an additional 24 hours.
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 17. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
This came after businesses were left vandalized and police were assaulted following the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. On Monday, video footage showed shattered windows at two Starbucks stores and a dumpster lit on fire — among other things — while at least one police officer was attacked.
On 20 April, around a hundred #antifa rioted in downtown to celebrate the murder conviction of Derek Chauvin. They smashed businesses one-by-one again & started a fire. At one point, a masked militant punched a responding officer in the face. #BLM https://t.co/UX9cz6SnNv pic.twitter.com/fWya2ry4t6
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 21, 2021
Although tensions remain high, one community faith leader has pleaded for peace and unity.
“We don’t have to burn, we don’t have to loot, we don’t have to do all those things, the power of non-violence has transformed America before and it can once again”
Dr. LeRoy Haynes is a longtime Portland faith leader who’s been apart of civil rights for 40yrs. @KOINNews pic.twitter.com/9ts4OpHECS
— Jenny Young (@jennytyoung) April 21, 2021
“I call upon those who continue to march, but march nonviolently,” Portland Rev. Leroy Haynes said. “Nonviolence is the most powerful force in the universe and we can transform our nation.”
Portland Police have made two arrests so far, but violence in the streets is hardly showing any signs of letting up. Meanwhile, the mayor’s emergency powers allow him to shut down streets and to declare a city-wide curfew.
Breaking: The @MultCoDA is moving forward w/prosecuting two suspects accused of violent, felonious activities at the BLM-#Antifa riot in Portland.
Randy Gray charged w/assaulting an officer, resisting arrest & disorderly conduct
Kenneth G. Harold #BLM https://t.co/i4qiDNFjks pic.twitter.com/cw98uO0Zrr
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 21, 2021
