At the invitation of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioners, over 200 political, community, business, and labor leaders assembled at Pioneer Courthouse Square Aug. 14 to stand against violence at political demonstrations.
In the last two years Portland has been repeatedly targeted by far-right organizations intent on provoking a response from left-wing adversaries, resulting in street brawls that have affected the city’s reputation nationally.
Labor organizations whose leaders joined the mayor in the appeal included Northwest Oregon Labor Council, Columbia-Pacific Building Trades Council, AFSCME, AFT Oregon, Fire Fighters Local 43, Laborers Local 483, Oregon Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, SEIU Local 49, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, which turned out the contingent in gold behind the mayor.
