FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from Mayor Wheeler on GSA Decision:
"Portland has a proud history of protest. I am a firm supporter of the First Amendment, no matter the views expressed. I believe we had a case to make about the threats to public safety posed by this rally at this place and at this time. My job is to protect the safety of everyone... protesters, counter-protesters, and bystanders alike.
"There will be protests and counter-protests this weekend in Portland. We have reached out to the organizers to call upon them to exercise common sense and to help us keep the peace. There will be local and federal law enforcement on the ground to ensure everyone has the right to express their beliefs and to protect everyone's safety. I urge everyone participating to reject violence. Our city has seen enough."
The statement fro GSA is below:
The U.S. General Services Administration Northwest/Arctic Region received a request from an applicant on May 10 to assemble at the Terry Schrunk Plaza in Portland, OR, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 4.
The applicant submitted the appropriate form (form GSA3453), which includes a terms and conditions section. The form can be found here.
GSA reviewed the application, and in accordance Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 102-74, Subpart D, approved it May 15.
All rules and regulations were followed by the applicant for the permit, including the timeframe for review.
Since the permit was lawfully obtained to assemble at this federal location, GSA has no basis to revoke the permit.
GSA and Federal Protective Services (FPS) are working closely with the City of Portland law enforcement and the Mayor’s Office to prepare for the June 4 event.
The City Of Portland, GSA, and FPS ask those who attend the event to assemble safely and allow all to exercise their constitutionally protected rights.
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