For quite some time, Democrat leaders across the nation have rejected offers from the federal government to bring an end to violence in their communities.
This violence is often perpetrated by far-left groups like Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and others. Furthermore, the violence ranges in nature from looting and property damage to fires, holding up traffic, and beating up Americans in the streets.
Leaders such as Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, took heat for failing to bring an end to this chaos. Some critics of the left stated that Democrats became complicit in this violence and destruction when they repeatedly failed to stop it.
On New Year’s Day, Mayor Wheeler made an interesting turn. During a Friday press conference, the leftist mayor admitted that he failed to end violence in his community and would therefore seek the assistance of the federal government, confirms Breitbart News.
The Press Conference from Portland’s Mayor
On January 1, Wheeler stood before reporters and admitted that his “good-faith efforts” to stop violence from “radical Antifa and anarchists” did not turn out as planned.
The Portland mayor then cited the need to “push back harder” against individuals who are solely invested in destruction and crime. Therefore, Wheeler explained that he’s reached out to the state of Oregon and the federal government for backup assistance.
Wishing Portlanders a happy New Year’s Day and a bright and hopeful 2021.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) January 1, 2021
This admission comes at an interesting time. Just one day prior to the Democrat mayor issuing these statements, Antifa took it upon themselves to attack police officers, trash businesses, and hold up traffic on New Year’s Eve.
After months of treating Antifa with kid gloves, Wheeler is finally working with law enforcement to develop “clear plans” to stop violence and anarchy.
Will Other Democrat Leaders Follow?
Despite the Portland mayor eventually coming around, it happened after months upon months of Antifa going unchecked. The far-left group even set up an “autonomous zone” last month and then interfered with law enforcement; yet, Wheeler did not act.
THREAD: Portland's Antifa movement held a New Years Eve demonstration Thursday night that became the first declared riot of 2021.
Police confronted the crowd with riot munitions as activists shot fireworks at them.
Filmed by @MaranieRae for @N2Sreports. Contact me for licensing pic.twitter.com/HkZXOB5Sf8
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) January 1, 2021
The change from this Democrat leader could ripple out across the nation, though. After all, Portland is not the only city that Antifa descended upon on Thursday night.
At the end of the day, however, each leader will have choices to make. These choices can entail ending violence or reaching out to state and federal governments; another option, albeit a dangerous one, is continued allowance of destruction from Antifa.
Are your surprised the Portland mayor will now work with law enforcement to stop violence? Do you think other Democrat leaders will follow suit? Let us know in the comments section below!
