Headline RoundupJuly 21st, 2020

Perspectives: Clashes Continue Between Protesters, Police in Portland

Portland, Oregon, Criminal Justice, Race And Racism, Media Bias, Violence In America

Summary from the AllSides News Team

After weeks of protesting in Portland, the Department of Homeland Security sent federal forces to the city to quell reported violence from protesters. Those reports were followed by claims of protesters being taken apprehended and put into unmarked vans, as clashes between protesters and law enforcement persist. Perspectives emerged across the spectrum regarding the alleged anarchy from protesters and purported promotion of a police state by the Trump administration. Coverage from some left-rated outlets focused on criticizing purported exaggerations of the violence from right-leaning media. Some right-rated voices concentrated on alleged failures by Democrat leaders accused of being too soft on violent protesters and damage to public property. A story about a Navy veteran allegedly beaten by officers with batons was the focus of media coverage on all sides of the spectrum.

Featured Coverage of this Story

From the Right

The Disgrace of Portland

Rich Lowry

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National Review (News)

Opinion

If only mobs were allowed to destroy federal property without consequence.

Then, there wouldn’t have to be any dispute over federal agents defending a federal courthouse in Portland, Ore. It could simply be overrun and burned to the ground with no unwelcome resistance.

As it is, Portland’s mayor, Ted Wheeler, who presides over a city that has become a watchword over the years for left-wing thuggery unchecked by municipal authorities, has roused himself to state of high dudgeon — over federal officers trying to counter ongoing assaults on a federal...

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From the Left

Navy vet beaten by federal agents: ‘They came out to fight’

Associated Press

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Associated Press

News

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Navy veteran stands passively in Portland, Oregon, amid swirling tear gas. One of the militarized federal agents deployed by President Donald Trump swings a baton at him with full force. With both hands. Five times.

Under the assault, 53-year-old Christopher David seems like a redwood tree — impervious to the blows. But in a video shot by a reporter, another officer — wearing green military camouflage, a helmet and gas mask — sprays David full in the face with what appears to be pepper gas....

Open on Associated Press

From the Left

Right-wing media plays up Portland protest 'violence'

CNN (Opinion)

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Analysis

When I saw Sean Hannity leading his show with "MORE VIOLENCE GRIPS PORTLAND" and scary video from the streets, I knew something was up.
Right-wing media ramped up its coverage of scattered unrest in Portland, Oregon last week at roughly the same time that federal officers descended on the downtown area. Hannity and other Fox hosts evidently decided that a small group of self-described anarchists suddenly deserved national news coverage.
One cynical way to see it: The Trump administration and Fox's talk shows picked Portland as a new...

Open on CNN (Opinion)

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