A Thousand Portlanders Protest Federal Policing

Oregon Public Broadcasting | By Kristian Foden-Vencil

Published July 17, 2020 at 4:15 PM PDT

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Close to a thousand people of different faiths rallied in downtown Portland Friday to denounce the actions of federal officers in local demonstrations.

The rally came after the actions of federal officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection were heavily scrutinized in response to complaints from Portland protesters.

Protesters have said they were detained by unidentified federal law enforcement officers in unmarked vans, then later released without being charged with a crime. And earlier this week, protesters say an officer show a person in the head with an impact munition.

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Reverend Mark Knutsen of Augustana Lutheran Church told the crowd that federal agents have committed violence against peaceful protesters.

“I have found that those who preach law and order are always breaking the laws. They should be in prison," Knutsen said. "When we talk about indictments, lets go back to D.C. and see some more of that."

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President Donald Trump said he sent U.S. Marshals and other federal officers to Portland to protect federal property after weeks of protests against racist violence.

The U.S. Attorney for Oregon Billy Williams said he’s requested an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General.

"Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protesters without probable cause, I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel."

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<p>Clergy from various denominations around Portland attended the rally to share concerns about what they call the federal government's violent actions. </p> — Clergy from various denominations around Portland attended the rally to share concerns about what they call the federal government's violent actions.

<p>The Reverend Mark Knutsen of Augustana Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland said some federal officers have committed violence against peaceful protesters.</p> — The Reverend Mark Knutsen of Augustana Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland said some federal officers have committed violence against peaceful protesters.

<p>About 1,000 people gathered for a Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance rally against some of the tactics federal law enforcement officers have taken against some protesters.</p> — About 1,000 people gathered for a Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance rally against some of the tactics federal law enforcement officers have taken against some protesters.