Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty

Last evening the best of Portland was on full display. On short notice, thousands of Portlanders came out to exercise our constitutional right to free speech and peaceful assembly. (1/10)

This was a united call to end the occupation of our city by federal troops and demanding an end to the aggressive violence being perpetrated on our city by both federal troops and the Portland Police. (2)

We had impassioned speakers sharing a variety of perspectives and opinions. We lit candles. We sang. We danced with the incredibly talented Portland Hip Hop community. We talked about the work ahead and how we are going to re-imagine community safety. (3)

My heart was full of love and inspiration towards every single person that came out last night. (4)

But not long after I closed out the speaking portion of the event - while hip hop artists where still performing, while my staff, speakers, and attendees I love were still on the ground – there was another unprovoked brutal attack by our federal government. (5)

Later that evening, Portland Police once again joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest. (6)

Mayor Wheeler, I’m sick of writing these statements day after day. We know that Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner met with DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. We know Portland Police are collaborating with this federal occupying force. (7)

You are putting our community in danger. You are putting my staff in danger. We need you to be better. We need you to stop denying the violence being perpetrated by our own police force... (8)

...and make it clear and unambiguous: Portland police are directed from the top to never collaborate with 45’s goon squad, to take off their riot gear, and to stop contributing to the violence that was occurring before the feds arrived and still continues night after night. (9)