[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H3623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FEDERAL OFFICERS IN PORTLAND

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, it was sad to hear my colleague with 
his recent comments. Let me tell you what it is like on the ground in 
Portland.
  This is a serious problem in Oregon where people are attempting to 
peacefully demonstrate their opposition to a whole range of racist 
practices by law enforcement. There are, to be sure, occasionally a few 
people who are doing things that they shouldn't, and they should be 
arrested, tried, and convicted. But the vast majority of people are 
peaceful.
  And it is no fault, frankly, of what has happened with the Trump 
administration, who have moved in with what can only be described as an 
occupying force, making the situation worse. They were unwanted, 
unwelcome, and unprepared. Nonetheless, they have moved in, been 
involved with episodes that people can watch on YouTube, where peaceful 
demonstrators were attacked.
  One of my constituents, asking a simple question, was beaten with a 
baton, breaking his wrist, and pepper sprayed in the face. This is 
outrageous. This is a made-for-TV initiative by the Trump 
administration and should stop.

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