Raw: Mayor Ted Wheeler speaks on Portland protests, extends curfew

Описание: After three nights of unrest in downtown Portland, Mayor Ted Wheeler addressed the community Monday morning and extended a curfew that's been in place since Friday night.

On Sunday night, an estimated 6,000 protesters took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration. But at about 11:30 p.m. police said the protest had become an unlawful assembly and declared it a civil disturbance.

"Emotions are boiling over in the streets of America and in the streets of Portland," Mayor Wheeler said Monday morning. He said leaders are working as hard as they can to give protesters the right to assemble peacefully.

"They deserve to be heard. I am listening. Your police chief and fire chief are listening," he said. "But last night a small number of demonstrators provoked conflict.

"Those who demonstrated peacefully, I want to say thank you. I'm proud to stand with you," he said. "I do not believe violence or destruction is the answer to heal the deep racial wounds in America."

The mayor said he looks forward to working alongside the phenomenal black leaders in Portland to find solutions to the inequities that have long targeted people of color. He said as long as the demonstrations continue, he will provide updates the following morning to let people know that Portland is a safe place.

"I've promised to keep creating space for black voices to be elevated and sacred," he said. "We will continue to create that space until we have lasting change."

He also reiterated that there were a few moments that gave him hope, like the scene of police officers kneeling with protesters in downtown Portland.

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