We’ve seen reports of radical protesters, often part of BLM or ANTIFA, spreading violence across the country.
They’ve taken to setting buildings on fire, looting stores, and pulling down any statue they can find.
And unfortunately, in many cases, they’re not facing any consequences for their actions.
According to KGW news in Portland, dozens of violent protesters have had charges against them dropped and their cases dismissed:
Dozens of protesters arrested during mass demonstrations in downtown Portland have had their criminal charges dropped and cases closed.
KGW analysis of police and court records shows the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office dropped charges against at least 59 of the roughly 400 protesters arrested since mass demonstrations started in Portland in late May.
Most of the dropped charges were misdemeanor offenses such as interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Nine cases dismissed by prosecutors involved more serious felony charges, including riot, arson and theft in the first degree.
In one case, Portland police arrested a 25-year-old protester for allegedly setting fire to a Chase Bank in downtown Portland on May 30, the second night of large-scale protests in the city. The Portland resident was charged with arson, criminal mischief and riot. KGW is not naming the person because charges have been dismissed.
A Multnomah County prosecutor described in a probable cause affidavit how the person bragged about using a Molotov cocktail to start the fire and talked about plans to go “out on another mission and the goal would be to set another fire.” When confronted by detectives, the person admitted being present when the fire started but denied setting it, according to the court documents.
A Multnomah County grand jury heard evidence in the case and declined to return an indictment. All charges were dropped.
It is not clear why other cases were closed.
It doesn’t come as a shock that Portland is facing such extensive and violent protests.
Just take a look at the tweet the city’s mayor sent out in response to the protests:
In contrast, check out some of the other tweets from Portland that show what's actually going on:
And what do we expect to happen when protesters aren't held accountable to the law?
More and more violence and lawlessness.
In fact, OPB reports just how violent the Portland protests have become:
In a far ranging presentation Wednesday, Portland Police Bureau Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis attempted to draw a distinction between what he called “legitimate protest” and “criminal activity.”
“There’s a very big difference between protests and the kind of mayhem that we’ve seen every night,” Davis said.
At times over the past 40 nights, protests in the city against police violence and systemic racism have drawn upwards of 10,000 people, Davis said in his presentation on how the demonstrations have affected the city. Marches have often culminated at the Multnomah County Justice Center. In recent weeks, hundreds of people from across the city have continued to show up to the Justice Center nightly to protest nonviolently.
Those demonstrations have routinely ended in violence after Portland Police respond to thrown objects with impact munitions and tear gas to disperse the mostly nonviolent crowd.
In the presentation, Davis said protesters have thrown frozen water bottles and rocks at police, at times causing injuries. He declined to provide details on those injuries, citing privacy for officers.
In total, Davis said more than 100 city employees and members of the public have been injured during the protests, which, according to PPB, have resulted in $23 million in damages and lost business in the city. Davis didn’t provide details on either figure. Police have faced criticisms for injuring members of the public by using less lethal munitions during demonstrations.
And take a look at this video showing the chaos in one Portland protest:
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