PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's state of emergency in the city will continue through the weekend in order to prepare for more potential violence and destruction in the city.
Wheeler first declared a state of emergency on Tuesday following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. Chauvin was found guilty on all counts Tuesday afternoon in the murder of George Floyd.
The state of emergency will remain in effect through 12 p.m. on Monday, April 26. It allows the mayor to declare a curfew if necessary, close streets and close other public facilities such as parking garages.
The city is preparing for the possibility of more destruction this weekend. Earlier this week, Wheeler said local law enforcement agencies, Oregon State Police and "select National Guard members" will be in place if needed.
"Tonight, the anarchists have called for more destruction," Wheeler said at a news conference Friday afternoon. "I've directed the police bureau to arrest and engage illegal activity whenever they can safely do so."
Wheeler spoke about plans for another "direct action" event Friday night at Couch Park in Northwest Portland.
The mayor urged members of the public to safely report any illegal activity by the "self-described anarchists" and to report license plates of vehicles carrying groups of people dressed all in black to the authorities.
"Our job is to unmask them, arrest them and prosecute them," Wheeler said. "People know who these criminals are."
Deputy Portland Police Chief Chris Davis joined Wheeler in the press conference and said officers are working with prosecutors and other agencies to more quickly identify and prosecute the worst offenders. He noted one individual who has been arrested three times since June 2020 on various criminal charges.
Vandals have smashed windows at businesses and other buildings this week, including Blazers Boys & Girls Club.
