The Portland police chief argued in favor of implementing an anti-mask law on Wednesday to curb the violent brawls that most recently resulted in a conservative journalist being hospitalized over the weekend.
“We cannot allow people to continue to use the guise of free speech to commit a crime,’’ Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said, according to The Oregonian. “A lot of people are emboldened because they know they can’t be identified.’’
There are currently 15 states that have laws that have banned masks of some sort. Those against the ban argue that it infringes First Amendment rights.
Commissioner Amanda Fritz’s chief of staff, Tim Crail, told The Oregonian, “We looked into it previously and the constitutional free speech issues are difficult to overcome, at least in Oregon.”
Outlaw’s suggestions come after antifa protesters attacked journalist and Quillette editor Andy Ngo on Saturday.
Ngo, who has previously covered the antifa chapter in Portland, was repeatedly kicked in the head and had things thrown at him during the protest. He was taken to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and had to spend the night.
Outlaw said of the Saturday brouhaha, “There were entities that planned a brawl in the city of Portland and no one seems to be upset about that. … Entities came here for a fight. … I don’t even know what they were protesting against.’’
