Last Updated on May 3, 2022
A rally for an Oregon gubernatorial candidate was violently interrupted by Antifa extremists in Portland this past Saturday. Stan Pulliam, a GOP candidate running for governor, was holding a rally in Portland which emphasized a pro-law enforcement message when extremists showed up to disrupt the peaceful assembly. Over the past several years, Portland has become a haven for the extremist group. During the summer of 2020, Antifa extremists were largely responsible for most of the property damage done in the city, as well as many injuries and several deaths.
At this weekend’s rally, scores of black-clad extremists swarmed the rally and began throwing smoke bombs. They then smashed car windows and dented vehicles with blunt objects while demanding rally goers leave the park.
More footage from PDX as Antifa attacked our campaign supporters. No surprise…underfunded police didn't show in time to allow our free speech. #FundThePolice #WarOnWoke #orpol #orgov (1/2) pic.twitter.com/nWiFzIec1Y
— Mayor Stan Pulliam (@StanPulliam) April 30, 2022
This is what happens when a Republican dares to hold an event in Portland to talk about funding our police. Antifa shows up. Well we won’t be intimidated and stop speaking the truth. #WarOnWoke #orpol #orgov pic.twitter.com/tBRiHMao7W
— Mayor Stan Pulliam (@StanPulliam) April 30, 2022
According to Pulliam, the mayor of the town of Sandy, the rally had been going as planned for less than 15 minutes until black-clad extremists showed up and began being disruptive. “Of course, less than 15 minutes in, we’re greeted by Antifa, showing up with firecrackers that they’re throwing at us, paint, feces all over our campaign [signs], our campaign bus completely destroyed…,” Pulliam told Fox News.
According to the candidate, Portland’s understaffed police department was slow to arrive and restore order. “We called the police, we called 911,” he said. “In fact, at the Justice of Peace Center, we were just outside of their headquarters, sat on hold for over 20 minutes. No police officers ever arrive until the very end, just to take our statement,” Pulliam added.
In what has long been a reliably liberal state, some polls show that the gubernatorial race could be very competitive in Oregon. According to a Morning Consult poll, Kate Brown is America’s least popular governor. Brown currently holds an approval rating of 41% and a disapproval rating of 54%.
Many Oregon residents have cited crime and homelessness as Brown’s weakest areas. A poll conducted by Oregon Public Broadcasting indicated that these two issues are front and center, along with a general dissatisfaction with “government and leadership”.
Antifa’s presence continues to remind voters in Oregon that crime is still a major issue in the state, and especially in Portland. Portland’s leftist mayor and prosecutors have seemingly done little to keep their city safe from the extremist group. Brown has also continuously covered for the violent far-left group. During the height of the rioting in 2020, Brown blamed “armed white supremacists” for the violence and property damage. She called out right-wing group Patriot Prayer but would not call out Antifa.
Consequently, Antifa militants continue to be a destructive presence in Portland and surrounding areas, despite the constant messaging from Brown and others that right-wing and white supremacist groups are the major issue.
Oregon’s primary election will be held on May 17.
