The riots in Portland have been allowed to continue for far too long, so say Oregon’s GOP lawmakers led by House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, of Canby.
In a press statement Thursday, Republican lawmakers from across Oregon sounded off on the nightly demonstrations that have rocked Portland for more than two months — typically centered around federal, state and city justice buildings.
On Wednesday night, protesters reportedly tried to burn the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct, in a coordinated offensive Drazan said was “planned and executed to risk the lives of officers working” there.
“This destruction and violence must end,” she said. “The premeditated attacks on Portland Police Precincts while law enforcement officers and civilian employees were inside must be recognized as an unlawful attempt to harm or kill Oregonians.”
The eight individuals arrested in connection with the events at the East Precinct “should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Drazan added.
“We stand with our law enforcement community and demand accountability,” she said. “The destruction must stop so that we can move forward and create lasting change.”
Rep. Bill Post, of Keizer, said he is strongly urging Governor Kate Brown to put a stop to the violence.
“These protests are anything but peaceful as they continue to destroy the city and put Law enforcement at risk,” he said Thursday. “As of last night, this violence moved from a small core of downtown Portland and public buildings to private neighborhoods. Violence breeds violence. We must do better.”
Others also took the governor to task for what they characterized as her lack of action against the destruction in the state’s largest city, while others criticized Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other city officials.
“Portland is becoming an embarrassment to our wonderful state,” said Rep. E. Werner Reschke, of Klamath Falls. “It is past time that Portland’s mayor, the governor and district attorney support the rule of law. Oregon law enforcement should not be handcuffed with restrictions preventing them from doing their job to enforce safety.”
See the complete statement from House Republicans below: