TOPLINE
The White House said on Friday that three federal agents were likely permanently blinded by laser rioters “directly into their eyes” amid increasingly tense clashes in Portland, Oregon, which have caused injuries on both sides.
Violent clashes between federal officials and protesters have resulted in injuries on both sides.
KEY FACTS
In defense of the controversial presence of federal forces in Portland, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany targeted “so-called peaceful protesters” during a press conference, listing the injuries to Department of Homeland Security agents. deployed earlier this month to quell the Black Lives Matter issue. protests
“A federal agent’s hand was impaled by planted nails, another federal agent was shot by a pellet gun leaving a deep wound in the bone and tragically three federal agents were permanently blinded by protesters,” said McEnany, who also He accused protesters of barricading officers inside the courthouse and launching fireworks at them.
So far, reports have focused on the numerous tear gas injuries sustained by protesters for 10 nights in a row, as well as sudden explosions and less deadly ammunition.
According to the Freedom of Press Foundation, the feds have injured at least 30 journalists since their arrival in Portland, and last week, a protester was shot in the head with impact ammunition, which sustained a fractured skull.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was caught in the crossfire on Wednesday night, explaining that it was “difficult to breathe” when he received tear gas after a meeting with protesters outside the courthouse.
McEnany responded to Wheeler’s accusations that the federal officials’ responses were an “overreaction,” calling the Democratic mayor “egregious” for “[standing] in the midst of a revolt as violent protesters attacked a federal building. ”
Mayor Wheeler’s office said Forbes He has no comment on the officers’ injuries.
Key background
The officers’ injuries reportedly occurred Monday night when a crowd of around 1,000 protesters surrounded federal court. Richard Cline, deputy director of the Federal Protection Service, told reporters during a press conference Tuesday that “glass bottles and lasers, which can cause permanent blindness” were thrown into the eyes of officers who put out protester fires outside the court. “We have three officers who currently have eye injuries, and they may not regain sight in those eyes,” Cline said. Local officials have repeatedly called for the elimination of federal forces, arguing that the agents are generating increased tension and violence, not protesters.
Big number:
12. That’s the number of people partially blinded by police in the first week of riots after George Floyd’s death, according to a Washington Post investigation.
Further reading
“Feds Tear Gas Portland Protesters for Tenth Straight Night, Beating Journalists Despite Judge’s Decision” (Forbes)
“Justice Deparmtnet will review the conduct of federal agents in Portland and DC” (Forbes)
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