Federal agents who have clashed with protesters in Portland will begin a “phasing out” of Oregon’s largest city center starting Thursday, Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown announced.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that he and Brown have been in contact for the past 24 hours and reached a joint plan to end “violent activity in Portland targeting federal properties and agents of the law”.
“That plan includes the strong presence of the Oregon State Police in downtown Portland,” said Wolf. “State and local police will begin to protect properties and streets, especially those surrounding federal properties, which have been under night attack for the past two months. The Oregon State Police will coordinate with Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers to ensure that all federal facilities remain protected and safe. “
FIREWORKS, THEN TEAR GAS: 62 NIGHT IN PORTLAND SEE MORE CLASHES; TRUMP IN TALKS TO REMOVE FEDERAL OFFICERS
The Portland Police Office was banned from cooperating with federal law enforcement officers last week under new policies unanimously approved by the City Council, The Oregonian reported.
In his statement, Wolf said the message from the Trump administration says that “violent criminal activity” directed at federal properties and the police will not be tolerated and that “state and local leaders must step forward and monitor their communities” .
“The Department of Homeland Security will not back down from our legal duty to protect federal law enforcement officers and property from such criminal behavior,” he continued.
Federal officials deploy tear gas and crowd control ammunition on protesters during a Black Lives Matter protest at the United States Courthouse Mark O. Hatfield on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Portland, Oregon (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
“President Trump has also made clear that this Administration is ready and willing to partner with state and local law enforcement to protect all Americans, and you see that commitment in Portland to this plan. The Department and this Administration will also continue to fulfill their solemn obligation to respect federal law throughout the country, “Wolf said.
But Brown accused federal officials of bringing violence and acting as an occupying force by announcing the joint plan to withdraw federal forces from Portland, before praising the Black Lives Matter movement.
“After my conversations with Vice President Pence and others, the federal government agreed to withdraw federal officials from Portland. They have acted as an occupying force and brought violence. Starting tomorrow, all Customs and Border Protection officers and ICE will leave downtown Portland, ”the governor tweeted.
“Our local Oregon State Police officers will be at the center to protect Oregonians’ right to freedom of expression and to keep the peace. Let’s focus the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands for racial justice and police accountability. It is time to take bold steps to reform police practices. “
The 62nd consecutive night was held Tuesday, protests continued in downtown Portland following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Portland police officers clashed with protesters before federal agents arrived to protect the United States Courthouse Mark O. Hatfield, the Multnomah County Justice Center and other government buildings over the weekend of 4 of July.
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Crowds, ranging from hundreds to thousands of people, have tried almost every night to tear down a fence erected to protect the United States Palace of Justice Mark O. Hatfield. They have set fire to and thrown fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and bricks, rocks, and bottles at the agents inside. Authorities this week tightened the fence by putting concrete barriers on the roads around it. Federal officials often respond by firing tear gas, peppercorns, and impact munitions.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
