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I can muster up some respect for @tedwheeler showing up to the protests last night. I can appreciate that images like this will get national attention and continue to expose the Federal government’s completely over-the-top and sadistic actions against protestors. However … https://twitter.com/TheWeek/status/1286316394431348736
There’s clearly a massive disconnect between his words and actions. “I saw nothing which provoked this response” is something protestors have been saying for months, before the Feds showed up and when Wheeler’s own Portland Police were gassing crowds just as indiscriminately.
That he had to see it for himself, and chose not to believe the chorus of citizens saying the same thing for months is extremely telling, disappointing, and infuriating.
He said: “I’m not afraid, but I am pissed off.” Fine, but now that you’ve caught up with the rest of the class, Mr. Mayor, how, exactly, will you use your power to do something about that anger?
I feel empathy for the man at a human level. He has a tough job I wouldn't want. But he’s also had many opportunities to either act in a meaningful way or step aside. He ran on police accountability ... then oversaw budget increase after budget increase.
He let his cops play footsie with neofascists from out of state. He's refused to hand over power to a fellow commissioner with more experience than him in these matters. His actions have shown where and who he is time and time again.
So as much as I was personally interested in hearing what he was saying last night amid the chorus of boos adn chants, I don’t blame the protestors one bit from shouting him down and not wanting to hear more empty words.
A mayor has many, many platforms from which to speak. Call a presser, hop on MSNBC, etc. I question why he felt the need to make this his platform without *first* acting in a meaningful way.
His action last night, although embarrassingly late to the game, was a first step. I hope @TedWheeler, with his newfound perspective on the situation, goes back and looks at some of his previous statements and actions and sees them in a new light.
We know what dis-empowered people pushed to the brink do with their anger. There are examples of that scrawled all over the Justice Center, Federal Building, and surrounding blocks.
But graffiti can be painted over. Starting today, our mayor has an opportunity to use his anger to do something—anything—meaningful. Here’s hoping he doesn’t waste it.
