When Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden “assailed” President Donald Trump and his administration back on July 21 for “brutally attacking peaceful protesters” in Portland, Oregon, did the former vice president leave himself vulnerable to criticism for being either dishonest or delusional?
Portland has essentially been under siege for more than three solid months with nightly demonstrations that have escalated to riot proportions. As reported by KATU News, liberal Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has even changed his tone about demonstrators after they turned their attention toward city hall.
“Enough is enough,” he declared, admitting that the Rose City’s tradition of “progressive protests” had been stolen by “a few dozen individuals engaged in violence and criminal destruction.”
But skeptics wonder whether Wheeler had an epiphany or just noticed that Democrat popularity was starting to dive as Portland, Seattle, Kenosha, Chicago and other cities had seen outbreaks of violent demonstrations that have including vandalism, looting, property destruction, arson and criminal assault.
Earlier in the week, a Portland circuit judge sentenced Rollin Tristan Fodor to three years’ probation for his part in a June 26 arson attempt at a Portland Police Bureau precinct.
Similarly, 200 miles north in Seattle—another liberal city marked by violence over the summer—authorities have arrested a 19-year-old Alaska man in connection with an arson outside the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct. Desmond David-Pitts was charged with arson in federal court, and outgoing Police Chief Carmen Best told KING 5 News, “This was not a peaceful protest, or demonstration for equity, but an act of lawlessness.”
David-Pitts allegedly tried to set fire to the building while others attempted to trap officers inside, KING reported.
In Kenosha, Wisconsin a 17-year-old from neighboring Illinois has been jailed and is facing multiple charges in connection with the shooting deaths of two men during a protest, and the wounding of a third. Kyle Rittenhouse is charged in the slaying of Anthony Huber, who was carrying a skateboard when he was shot. A second man, Joseph Rosenbaum, was also fatally shot by Rittenhouse, it is alleged. The teen could be facing life in prison if convicted.
Tens of millions of dollars’ worth of property damage has been done across the country in connection with ongoing unrest stemming from the death of George Floyd while under restraint by Minneapolis police officers three months ago.
In his acceptance speech at the White House, President Trump asserted if Biden wins the November election, it will result in more social unrest, the economy will suffer and there will be efforts to destroy the Second Amendment. He twice made specific references to the amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms, because Biden has been a perennial gun control proponent.
In Washington, D.C., eight people were arrested during a protest outside the White House following Trump’s speech, wrapping up the virtual Republican National Convention. Among those confronted as he left the White House event was U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who was swarmed by a mob while walking with his wife back to their hotel, Fox News reported. He was surrounded by D.C. police and in a tweet the senator thanked officers for “literally saving our lives from a crazed mob.”
Biden and other Democrats may think the public will accept a whitewash of violent demonstrations as “peaceful protest,” they may have a nasty surprise on Nov. 3.
