[DAILYWIRE] Amid the mounting blowback over the alarming display of violence in his city, Mayor Wheeler issued a vague statement Monday criticizing those who "used their opportunity to exercise their 1st amendment rights, as an opportunity to incite violence."
"Portland has always been a beacon of free speech. We are proud of that history," he wrote in the first of the tweet thread. "But in the last couple of years, some have increasingly used their opportunity to exercise their 1st amendment rights, as an opportunity to incite violence. Over the weekend some chose to engage in violence in Portland, which is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We stand against all forms of violence — regardless of someone’s political leanings."
He then attempted to address why the violence was allowed to erupt with what appeared to be minimal police response.
"Portland police officers have the unenviable task of keeping the peace," wrote Wheeler. "It’s a difficult job and hard decisions are made in real-time. While we continue to learn more about what transpired over the weekend, we will keep you informed."
Wheeler concluded by assuring the public that the city would hold the violent criminals accountable. "We will do everything we can to make sure that those who have committed violence are held accountable," he wrote.
As documented by Twitchy, many of the responses online expressed skepticism about the mayor's ability or willingness to provide citizens who don't embrace the radical left agenda proper police protection.
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