Protests erupted nationwide in May after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement. Portland, Oregon, entered its 100th consecutive night of protests this past weekend. This past weekend also saw the killing of Aaron J. Danielson, a right-wing supporter of Donald Trump.
Racial tensions in the United States have reached a boiling point. Black Lives Matter protests happening all summer long, and with Black people still being murdered by police, they are not dying down. However, what has changed is that now right-wing Trump supporters are taking to the streets preaching All Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter.
Right now, Portland is experiencing unrest like no other city. The protests started peacefully, but when Portland police started making violent arrests, spraying protestors with tear gas and rubber bullets, they became more violent. Right-wing Trump supporters recently flooded Portland with President Trump's support, whom he called "GREAT PATRIOTS."
Supporting right-wing instigation wasn't the first controversy surrounding President Trump and Portland. Earlier this summer, the Trump administration deployed federal agents to Portland dubbed "Operation Diligent Valor." Reportedly, federal agents have been driving around in unmarked vans and arresting random non-violent protestors without explanation. Both Oregon's senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, have condemned Trump deploying federal agents, calling them a "paramilitary force."
Portland is a prime example of a city tired of the oppressive systems in power with state leaders trying to implement change in a nation led by a fascist, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and xenophobic president. Until there is a racial reckoning and those in the White House begin to listen to their people's voices, the chaos will remain.
Written by Casey Bakarani
Artwork by Aurora Brooks
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