PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local leaders chastised demonstrators who again targeted Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan’s house on Thursday night, breaking a window and splattering the exterior with paint.
Ryan, who was among those on the City Council who voted against cutting $18 million from the Portland Police Bureau budget earlier that afternoon, released a statement Friday that said while he appreciated “that members of our community are passionate,” he still condemned the “disrupting and intimidating” acts of trespassing and vandalism.
“I am an elected official working hard to serve the city I love. I am committed to listening and engaging in respectful dialogue. The protestors coming to my home are using the exact tactics they claim to be railing against—bullying and intimidation,” he said. “I ask that they be accountable to one another, and think before they act.”
Multnomah County and Unified Command spokesperson Chris Liedle said Ryan’s home was targeted for the fourth time in a week, describing the group as “agitators” who threw burning flares and paint-filled balloons, causing damage to the property. Law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly and arrested two people.
Other local leaders also expressed their frustration by condemning the violence.
“Last night’s criminal destruction and attack on Commissioner Ryan’s home are reprehensible,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a release Friday, “Violence, criminal destruction and intimidation are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Those responsible must be found, investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I condemn anyone who uses violence to attempt to silence the voices of others.”
The Portland Police Bureau will do whatever we can to investigate criminal acts committed against Commissioner Ryan. Commissioner Ryan is a City employee and member of the community. He deserves to be able to live and work in peace, free from violence, threats and intimidation.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell
Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty also condemned the violence.
“Last night a group of people vandalized Commissioner Ryan’s home following a tense city council hearing on the city’s budget,” said Hardesty. “I want to be clear: we can disagree and be upset over these issues, but I do not condone what took place at the Commissioner’s home last night and those who engaged in the acts need to be held responsible. Fighting for systemic change is messy and complicated, but what shouldn’t be complicated is recognizing when lines have been crossed, and that’s what happened last night.”
The Portland Fire Fighter’s Association is aware protesters vandalized
and attempted to set fires at the home of Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan. We condemn those horrific and dangerous acts towards Commissioner Ryan. The incomprehensible acts towards another public servant not only put Commissioner Ryan in danger but an entire neighborhood and others who responded that night.We as Fire Fighter’s for the City of Portland proudly serve and protect all those who live in our great city. We also believe we can come together and voice our concerns or resolve our differences without causing harm to others or their personal properties.
Portland Fire Fighter’s Association
Members of the group under investigation from the incident threw burning flares and paint-filled balloons, causing damage to Ryan’s property, according to the Portland Police Bureau. Two arrested were made before the group moved from the area.
According to investigators, Ryan’s residence was targeted because he was one of the City Council members to vote against cutting $18 million from PPB’s budget. If passed, the $18 million taken from PPB would be used for outdoor homeless shelters and other housing and food programs.
“As we heard from the police chief and the budget office, the $18 million proposal is a threat to our current public safety,” Ryan said of the proposed cuts.
Ryan was not on the council when that first round of cuts was made. He defeated former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta in an Aug. 11 special election. Smith called for cutting the police bureau budget by $50 million during the campaign.