Portland Mayor Wheeler on last night's protests in East Portland, during a press call: "Last night 200-300 people went to the East Precinct intent on violence. The violence I am talking about is not vandalism. I mean specifically violence against people."

"The attack was immediate and intentional and planned. It was intended to cause serious injury or death and very well could have. After that, [tear gas] was used."

"This building is in a residential neighborhood attached directly to neighborhood homes. This can’t be okay. I believe that city staff could have died last night. I cannot and I will not tolerate that."

"We anticipate additional planned attempts on occupied buildings over the next few days. If you are a nonviolent demonstrators and you don’t want to be part of intentional violence, please stay away from these areas. These crimes are distracting from reform, not advancing it."

Damon Simmons, Portland Fire: "My piece is very simple. It is critically important to me that people understand the seriousness of using fire as a weapon. I have been out with firefighters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. ...But this is not the way to get there."

PPB Chief Chuck Lovell: "This is not about a movement. It's not about Black lives. It's not about racial justice. It's not about police reform. It's planned, coordinated attacks on police officers, and I feel that lives hand in the balance."

PPB Commander Passadore explains that last night's event was advertised as "No cops, no prisons, total abolition." He says this shows this is not about the Black Lives Matter movement.

Passadore says the East Precinct had 20 police officers / civilian employees inside last night. The precinct is also connected to townhomes with people living inside.

Wheeler: "The nonviolent demonstrations have been successful in achieving their ends, which is racial justice and equity. Elevating that conversation." He says having cops working every night to keep city buildings from being burnt down is distracting from the real work.

Wheeler, in closing: "Don't think for a moment that if you are participating in these events that you are not being a prop for the re-election campaign of Donald Trump, because you absolutely are."

"You are creating the b-roll film that will be used in ads nationally to help Trump during his campaign. If you don't want to be part of that, then don't show up."

TLDR: Portland's mayor, chief of police, and fire bureau leadership allege protesters were trying to burn people alive last night.

Protesters and journalists say police trampled nonviolent protesters and clouded a residential neighborhood in tear gas. https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1291248260904976386