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A veiled threat? "Peaceful" Portland protesters leave grisly gift for federal troops: a bloody, burning pig's head
(Natural News) Protesters at downtown Portland left a grisly souvenir for federal troops from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the latter’s continued presence in the embattled city: A burning pig’s head wearing a cop’s hat.
The bloody head, which was positioned on top of an American flag, was planted in front of the federal courthouse in Portland, according to Andy Ngo, an editor for the conservative publication Post Millennial.
“Antifa protesters dumped a bloody severed pig’s head on an American flag outside the Justice Center in downtown Portland,” Ngo said in a Twitter post. “They put a cop’s hat on it and set all of it on fire.”
Antifa protesters dumped a bloody severed pig's head on an American flag outside the Justice Center in downtown Portland. They put a cop's hat on it and set all of it on fire. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/qfAOT4ItxP
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 31, 2020
Ngo, in a succeeding tweet, noted that during the first few weeks of the riots in early June, police were able to rescue a pig found wrapped in a blanket near the downtown area of the city.
According to Ngo, authorities believe that a protester was going to kill the animal, presumably as an act of anti-police protest, but abandoned the plan at the last minute.
Despite the discovery of the bloody pig’s head, authorities reported that the gathering was relatively peaceful, with mass leaders and organizers seen urging protesters not to “provoke” federal law enforcement, although they were still observed chanting anti-Trump and anti-police slogans. (Related: Head of Portland police union criticizes elected officials and rioters for “demonizing” police.)
“Some people climbed on or near the fence at the federal courthouse, but others admonished them and they got down. People could be heard in the crowd repeating that the protest was to remain peaceful,” police said.
This is in stark contrast to the events that transpired earlier this week, during which authorities successfully confiscated contraband items such as gasoline, hockey sticks, make-shift defense shields, leaf blowers, paint sprayers and paint cans filled with paint, as well as what appeared to be a homemade Molotov cocktail, from violent agitators outside federal Portland courthouse.
Contraband such as gasoline, hockey sticks, defense shields, leaf blowers, paint sprayers, paint cans with paint, and a jar prepped for a Molotov cocktail confiscated by federal law enforcement from violent agitators outside federal Portland courthouse pic.twitter.com/DFHKV5k8Ov
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) July 28, 2020
The protests, which were initially held in remembrance of George Floyd, have since primarily devolved into violent riots, most of which have caused extensive damages to residences and businesses, as well as occurrences of crimes such as arson, vandalism, assault and even murder.
According to authorities and critics, many of the riots appear to have been hijacked with Left-wing politicians, with the riots’ aims now said to be far separated from the intent of the original protests.
Attorney Billy J. Williams, Oregon’s chief federal law enforcement official since 2015, has described the Portland riots as “pretty disgusting,” noting in an interview that it is unfortunate that they are happening every night.
“This is just mindless violence and anyone who defends the violence is enabling this to continue so that’s unfortunate, but it’s a mess,” Williams said, adding that while there are opportunities to initiate change in this country following the death of Floyd, these are being held back by the ongoing riots.
“This is just mindless violence and it’s been politicized and in my view, that’s what enables this to continue because no one in their right mind thinks this is okay,” Williams stated.
Federal troops to pull out from Portland – on one condition
The events transpired just one day after Oregon Governor Kate Brown wrangled a deal with the Trump administration, noting that the latter agreed to pull out federal officers the moment state and city law enforcement prove they can protect the courthouse and other federal properties.
Brown, a Democrat, made the announcement on Twitter.
I think we’ve had enough political grandstanding from DC. The President’s plan to "dominate" the streets of American cities has failed. And today, federal troops are preparing to leave downtown Portland. We will protect free speech and the right to protest peacefully.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 30, 2020
“The state of Oregon is finally agreeing to cooperate with our federal forces – exactly what we asked for since the nightly violence broke out two months ago. We’re glad Oregon is now correcting their months-long error,” Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, whose department manages the troops sent to Portland, said in a series of tweets.
The state of Oregon is finally agreeing to cooperate with our federal forces–exactly what we asked for since the nightly violence broke out two months ago.
We're glad Oregon is now correcting their months long error.
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) July 29, 2020
According to Wolf, the current troop of federal law enforcers in Portland will remain in the city unless they get the assurance that the Hatfield Federal Courthouse, which was targeted by demonstrators and rioters for the past two months, as well as several other federal properties in the city, will no longer be attacked.
Wolf, in a statement, noted that “the DHS will not back down” from their sworn duties, especially when it comes to protecting federal law enforcement officers and federal properties in the face of violent criminal behavior.
“[President Trump] made clear that this Administration is ready and willing to partner with state & local law enforcement to protect every American – and you see that commitment in Portland with this plan,” Wolf added.
President Donald Trump, who ordered the deployment of the troops as a way to curtail increasing violence, has confirmed the move, noting in a tweet that federal law enforcers will not be leaving the city until the latter gets “cleaned up” and its local police nabs all violent protesters and individuals linked to the riots.
“Homeland Security is not leaving Portland until local police complete cleanup of Anarchists and Agitators!” President Trump said.
The deployment of the federal troops to several cities across the country has received mixed reactions, with some noting that the move may be excessive and ultimately harmful, while others say it is needed to put the ongoing spate of riots and violence under control.
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