Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams slammed the media for refusing to condemn the “criminal” riots that have plagued the city in recent months.
“These aren’t late-night demonstrations,” Williams told reporters on the steps of the Mark Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland last week. “This is criminal activity. There’s a difference. What you have failed and the media have failed to distinguish between — you seem unwilling to call people engaged in criminal conduct as criminals, as opposed to lawful protesting.”
“I’m just saying there needs to be a distinction made between lawful, constitutionally protected protest, and this. This is unlawful. And people, whether you’re an opportunist, an antagonist, an agitator, or an anarchist, call it out for what it is,” he added.
At one point in the interview, Williams asked the reporters to take a look around at the nearby vandalism and destruction and ask themselves if that’s the way things should be, adding that he believes Portland is “losing its soul.”
“Look around. I mean, do you think it’s OK? Is there any justification for this? I hope not. I mean, Portland is losing its soul right now, and what’s coming out of City Hall, calling cops liars, that they’re the ones starting the fires and then blaming protesters. I mean, how ridiculous is that? That’s not leadership,” he said.
“So, what I will tell you is, this needs to stop,” he continued. “People lawfully protesting need to be able to do it safely and work together for the changes they’re asking for in a democratic, following democracy, and legislative changes, policy changes, whatever, but this isn’t accomplishing anything.”
Violent riots have broken out in Portland on a consistent basis after the death of George Floyd on May 25.
Many news outlets have focused criticism on federal agents sent to protect federal property and law enforcement in general, which was echoed by prominent Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who referred to federal agents using Nazi terminology, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, who dismissed the violent rioters as a “myth.”
