Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler praised police officers for helping keep the peace Saturday and was thankful the day had been “largely a peaceful event.”
In a press conference after clashes between antifa and far-right demonstrators had died down, Wheeler said, “I’d like to start off by thanking the chief and the men and women of the Portland Police Bureau and all of our collaborating law enforcement partners for the very hard work they did today,” adding police did “a great job deescalating the situation.”
Wheeler also had strong words for Proud Boys event organizer Joe Biggs, a former InfoWars staffer, saying the group creates an environment of fear and that they also misuse taxpayer money, since it costs “millions” of dollars to ensure the events go smoothly.
“And so, Mr. Biggs and others saying they are going to come here, that feeds into that sense of fear. So I want to be very clear, we do not want him here in my city. Period,” he said.
Portland police said around 1,200 people were in the protest areas and they arrested a total of 13 people throughout the day, which had multiple fights and confrontations between members of antifa, rally-goers, and other individuals.
In one case, two buses carrying members of the American Guard, which the Anti-Defamation League describes as a white supremacist group, were stopped in traffic. Antifa members began attacking the bus, throwing objects, banging on the sides, and breaking multiple windows. The door to one bus was eventually opened, and fighting erupted.
The buses were able to drive away.
Wheeler said on Twitter that the city was bracing for mass causalities in a worst case scenario.
In light of the recent mass shootings around the country, we prepared for the worst.
I am relieved that no lives were lost. Weapons were seized quickly. @PortlandPolice did an extraordinary job keeping the peace, protecting life, & responding to violence.
We are very grateful.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) August 18, 2019
