Authorities snare 74 ‘violent agitators’ aged 18 to 65 ‘who posed as peaceful protesters’ in Portland
AUTHORITIES have snared 74 "violent agitators" who allegedly posed as peaceful protesters.
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon announced in a Thursday that 74 people are facing federal charges for crimes that took place since May 29.
The charges include felonies, misdemeanors, and citation violations.
Most of the defendants are supposedly local residents, except for a handle of people, according to the Attorney's Office.
US Attorney Billy J. Williams said: "It is important to note that while some federal charges require crimes be committed on federal property, others do not.
"Violent acts committed throughout the city of Portland under the guise of peaceful protest are being evaluated by local federal prosecutors for prosecution."
Those charged ranged in age from 18 to 65.
One hundred people have been arrested since May 26 for crimes committed during local protests.
And 11 people were issued citation violations.
Some of the crimes include arson and attempted arson, damaging federal property, assaults on federal officers, and failing to obey lawful orders.
Attorney Williams added: “Violent agitators have hijacked any semblance of First Amendment protected activity, engaging in violent criminal acts and destruction of public safety.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners are expeditiously working with local and state law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute these individuals that are disrupting the rule of law in our communities and physically attacking our law enforcement officers and destroying property.
“Violent agitators not only delay real reform, but make our community less safe by keeping law enforcement from responding to other critical calls for service.”
An investigation is underway by the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and Federal Protective Service.
Just this week, protesters were seen throwing eggs, bottles, and rocks at Federal Protection Officers.
Approximately 200 people - many of who were carrying shields, wearing helmets, gas masks, and body armor - had vandalized and disabled security cameras on the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building, according to the .
Nightly protests have plagued the city of Portland for more than 90 consecutive nights.
Ever since died in police custody on Memorial Day in , violent riots and protests have broken out across the US.
Russel Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon, said in the news release: “The nightly violence has to stop.
“It is drowning out the voices of the many who are calling for change, and pulling police resources away from their primary mission of keeping this community safe.
"We must all come together to find a productive way to move forward.”
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Meanwhile, during yet another night of unrest in the Oregon city.
, a 29-year-old black man, in the back by a police officer in front of his three young children in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday.
Portland has been home to daily Black Lives Matter and anti-cop protests since May.