Alex ZielinskiVerified account

Portland Mayor Wheeler on last night's protests in East Portland, during a press call: "Last night 200-300 people went to the East Precinct intent on violence. The violence I am talking about is not vandalism. I mean specifically violence against people."

"The attack was immediate and intentional and planned. It was intended to cause serious injury or death and very well could have. After that, [tear gas] was used."

"This building is in a residential neighborhood attached directly to neighborhood homes. This can’t be okay. I believe that city staff could have died last night. I cannot and I will not tolerate that."

"We anticipate additional planned attempts on occupied buildings over the next few days. If you are a nonviolent demonstrators and you don’t want to be part of intentional violence, please stay away from these areas. These crimes are distracting from reform, not advancing it."

Damon Simmons, Portland Fire: "My piece is very simple. It is critically important to me that people understand the seriousness of using fire as a weapon. I have been out with firefighters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. ...But this is not the way to get there."

PPB Chief Chuck Lovell: "This is not about a movement. It's not about Black lives. It's not about racial justice. It's not about police reform. It's planned, coordinated attacks on police officers, and I feel that lives hand in the balance."

PPB Commander Passadore explains that last night's event was advertised as "No cops, no prisons, total abolition." He says this shows this is not about the Black Lives Matter movement.