Dear Friends,
As you are likely aware, President Trump has directed "all necessary troops" to Portland. That number of "necessary troops," however, is zero, in Portland or any other American city.
If President Trump came to Portland today, what he would find is people riding their bikes. Playing sports. Enjoying the sunshine. Buying produce at a farmers' market.
We've had hard conversations and done important work in recent years. We've reformed our public safety system. We've refocused on our community and our economy. We have redoubled our efforts to help our most vulnerable.
Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force.
On Monday, I will gather with a dozen regional mayors to sign a joint statement modeled after that of Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago, who received the same ugly threat of a military deployment as Portland now has. Like Mayor Johnson's executive order, our statement will be one of values, of caring about our community and caring for each other. That's what we need right now, not occupying troops.
We have a place at the table for everyone willing to lend a hand. That should include the federal government. At the end of the day, this may be a show of force, but that's all it is: a big show. And after a big show, everyone goes home. That's what I want to see happen here.
In Portland, we have a long and proud tradition of large-scale peaceful protests. We have a long and proud track record of being at the forefront of positive social change. There are new risks today, risks that we don't yet fully understand. The administration has refused to elaborate on what they mean when they say they will deploy "full force" against our people.
I will also say this: avoiding this unknown element will not prevent us from joining together to raise our voices and call for an end to the federal government's unwanted, unneeded, and un-American deployment to the city we call home.
Gratefully,
Mayor Keith Wilson