OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Federal Officers in Portland

Floor Speech

Date: July 22, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Executive Branch Criminal Justice

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, it was sad to hear my colleague with his recent comments. Let me tell you what it is like on the ground in Portland.

This is a serious problem in Oregon where people are attempting to peacefully demonstrate their opposition to a whole range of racist practices by law enforcement. There are, to be sure, occasionally a few people who are doing things that they shouldn't, and they should be arrested, tried, and convicted. But the vast majority of people are peaceful.

And it is no fault, frankly, of what has happened with the Trump administration, who have moved in with what can only be described as an occupying force, making the situation worse. They were unwanted, unwelcome, and unprepared. Nonetheless, they have moved in, been involved with episodes that people can watch on YouTube, where peaceful demonstrators were attacked.

One of my constituents, asking a simple question, was beaten with a baton, breaking his wrist, and pepper sprayed in the face. This is outrageous. This is a made-for-TV initiative by the Trump administration and should stop.

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