Part 4/13:
The root of this problem lies in Portland's political leadership, which appears unwilling or unable to enforce basic safety measures or uphold law and order. Mayor Ted Wheeler and the city council have demonstrated a pattern of appeasement toward Antifa and similar groups—allowing protests, riots, and doxing activities to flourish without intervention. This permissiveness emboldens activists, who see no repercussions for their illegal actions.
For instance, after a local elderly woman with a cane vocally protested the noise and chaos caused by Antifa outside the ICE facility, city officials responded by clearing a protest camp only after a lawsuit was filed. This shows a reactive rather than proactive approach—intervening only when public pressure or legal action becomes unavoidable.