Feds call for peace in Portland after entire police protest unit resigns
Washington | June 18, 2021
Federal officials in Oregon called Friday for a deescalating of tensions in Portland in response to the mass resignation of the 50-member Portland police protest squad after one of its officers was charged with assault.
Acting Oregon U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug and FBI Special Agent in Charge in Oregon Kieran L. Ramsey sought to address the concerns of both Portland police and demonstrators as the city grapples with protest unrest and a surge in violent crime.
The statement said in its entirety: “Communities across the nation have endured many challenges over the past year as they attempt to address racial inequities in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. In Portland, those challenges included large and sometimes violent demonstrations that strained our local resources and repeatedly placed officers in the difficult position of policing large and sometimes hostile crowds….
(Excerpts from the Washington Times)