#Oregon Gov. Kate Brown orders extra cops to Portland amid protests

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A protester screams at federal officers after they used tear gas and less-lethal weapons to disperse a protest in Portland, Oregon.
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Oregon’s governor has ordered extra cops to swamp Portland to finally “stop the cycle of violence” at nightly protests after they turned deadly this weekend.

Gov. Kate Brown announced a six-point plan late Sunday that will bring in more officers across the state in what she said would “protect free speech and bring violence and arson to an end in Portland.”

It also includes ensuring there is enough jail space to hold people accused of violent behavior, as well as getting extra help from the US Attorney and FBI in investigating protest-related crimes, she said

“We all must come together — elected officials, community leaders, all of us — to stop the cycle of violence,” the Democrat said in a statement.

Brown’s announcement came as protesters returned to Portland’s troubled streets Sunday even after the shooting death of a right-wing counter protester the previous day.

By Monday morning, police had arrested 29 people — including two who allegedly had loaded handguns, the force said. Officers were pelted with rocks and eggs by a mob of about 150, they said.

In releasing her plan, the governor condemned Saturday night’s shooting — while blaming it on the right-wing Patriot Prayer group, even though it was one of its supporters, Aaron “Jay” Danielson, who was killed.

“The right-wing group Patriot Prayer and self-proclaimed militia members drove into downtown Portland [Saturday], armed and looking for a fight,” she claimed in a statement.

“Every Oregonian has the right to freely express their views without fear of deadly violence. I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists to bring more bloodshed to our streets,” she said.

“Time and again, from Charlottesville to Kenosha to Portland, we have seen the tragic outcome when armed right-wing vigilantes take matters into their own hands. Gun violence is never, ever the answer.”

Brown made no mention of how the man being investigated for the shooting had described himself as “100% ANTIFA” and appeared to have a black-power tattoo on his neck.

She did, however, insist that the crack-down on rioters would not interfere with her push for racial justice.

“I will continue to work with local leaders, law enforcement, and community leaders to bring all voices to the table to help end the nightly confrontations—but that will only come if we commit ourselves to do the hard work to bring about real change and racial justice,” she said.