Portland mayor tweets bizarre, apologetic warning to Antifa 'autonomous zone'

After the establishment of a new "autonomous zone" organized by BLM, Antifa, and left-wing activists in Portland, Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted out a bizarre, apologetic warning to ask them, politely, to leave.

"I am authorizing the Portland Police to use all lawful means to end the illegal occupation on North Mississippi Avenue and to hold those violating our community’s laws accountable. There will be no autonomous zone in Portland," Wheeler wrote.

"We all agree many of our nation's systems and structures are fundamentally racist and require significant reform," Wheeler tweeted.

"There's a housing crisis, a health care crisis, an education crisis, an employment crisis, a mental health crisis, and an addiction crisis," Wheeler said, parroting the Biden Harris team's four crises.

Andy Ngo reported that the "autonomous zone" was set up to "protect a house being illegally occupied by squatters." After Portland police raided the house in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a protest began near the home known as "Red House" on Mississippi Avenue.

"All of these crises are magnified in urban areas, including Portland. And, these crises disproportionately impact Black people," Wheeler wrote.

"It's also true that illegal trespassing, ignoring lawful orders from police, blocking sidewalks and streets, and intimidating neighbors inflame these crises and make them more difficult to solve. That is what’s happening on North Mississippi Avenue right now."

"There was a lengthy, thorough judicial proceeding resulting in a lawful judge’s order to evict people illegally occupying a home," Wheeler explained. "Multnomah County chose the time, place and manner of the eviction and Portland Police provided support."

Ngo reported that Antifa activists had Portland police on retreat after officers responded to "Red House" and the "autonomous zone." That "occupation continued to grow," and activists brought in more people to secure their ranks.

"It’s time for the encampment and occupation to end. There are many ways to protest and work toward needed reform. Illegally occupying private property, openly carrying weapons, threatening and intimidating people are not among them."

Portland was the site of more that 100, continuous nights of rioting since May. Mayor Wheeler was unable to control or stop the violent protests despite giving in to protestors demands again and again. Wheeler joined protestors outside a federal courthouse in his city, and while he attempted to listen to protestors, he was shouted out of the area.

It was during July that the so-called Capital Hill Autonomous Zone was created over a six-block area in Seattle's downtown Capital Hill neighbourhood. BLM and Antifa activists effectively kept police out of the area, despite numerous shooting and criminal activity.