Posted on 08/04/2018 12:12:05 PM PDT by Simon Green
The Portland Police Bureau is preparing for a potentially violent showdown between dueling demonstrators Saturday, with a ramped-up law enforcement presence and checkpoints throughout the main protest area to screen for weapons.
Hundreds of people are expected to descend on downtown to oppose a march and rally organized by Joey Gibson and his right-wing group Patriot Prayer, which says it plans to bring supporters from around the country.
Those active in the movement nationwide say Gibson's so-called "March For Freedom" may become the largest right-wing demonstration in the U.S. this year.
Participants in Patriot Prayer events and antifascist activist have battled in the streets during numerous confrontations in Portland. A face-off between the rival factions in June ended with nine arrests, multiple people hospitalized and police declaring the violent scene a riot.
"I continue to strongly reject the idea that violence or hate speech are legitimate means to a political end," Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement on Saturday's planned rally. "Chief [Danielle] Outlaw and I have serious concerns about the potential for violence at this weekend's demonstrations."
"We don't want this here," Wheeler added.
Demonstrators on Saturday will begin funneling into downtown by late morning and could remain in the area until 5 p.m., police and organizers said. Counter-protesters plan to rally at City Hall around 10:30 a.m. and then march to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where Patriot Prayer will host its demonstration beginning at 12 p.m.
"There will be a significant law enforcement presence in the area of the demonstration due to past threats and acts of violence," Portland police said in a statement Friday.
The demonstrations may also cause traffic delays and interruptions downtown, and police encouraged road users to seek alternate routes.
Police will have weapon screening stations at entrances to the waterfront and will have canines on scene that can detect explosives, according to the statement. Police also warned demonstrators not bring any weapon or items that could be used as weapons.
However, individuals with a valid Oregon concealed handgun license will be able to possess their firearms on the waterfront, as permitted under state law. That prospect raised some concerns after Gibson earlier this week encouraged his supporters to do so.
"Everyone should be carrying around guns at all times, especially in our situation," the Patriot Prayer leader said.
Get 'em Joey.
#ProudOfYourBoy
Bagster
“Chief [Danielle] Outlaw”
Can’t make it up.
Whoops...I searched, but missed it (probably mistyped).
antifa punks and left wing nut supporters causing the violent confrontations blame patriot prayer group for instigating.
And so does the media.
Bagster
The 1968 Chicago Police look pretty smart in retrospect
well I would like to see Gibson’s group kick the $hit out of the antifa group and hospitalize a few dozen. Protest/rally groups can have their own separate rallies apart from each other. Antifa is looking for trouble and they should get a boot load right up their asses.
We always hear about “far right groups” but never FAR LEFT GROUPS. Portland has tacitly told the Antifas that Portland is their turf by allowing their destructive demonstrations in the past. Now, they have to face reality. The Soros financed Rent-A-Mob needs to suffer the fate they wish they could impose on others of contrary opinion - a bloody nose.
If the sniffing dogs get a whiff of the BO from some of these protesters it could render them unconscious.
Just search on Weapon checks. Easy peasy.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?s=weapon+checks&ok=Search&q=quick&m=exact&o=time
Didn't see the Mayor complaining about ANTIFA last Sep, did hear him make excuses when a "peaceful labor protest" turned violent, he had no problem with 'resistance" rallies against Trump in 2016 and he certainly wasn't out front to have his 'concerns" over the Occupy Ice criminals a few months ago....but he's oh-so-concerned that some right-wingers might have a peaceful rally and further demonstrate the violence of the left...
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