Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler says police have been ignoring violent protests
by Donna Millsap - The Oregon Herald
PORTLAND, Oregon — 23-year-old Donovon Lyle Flippo of Vancouver, Washington, a member of the right-wing Proud Boys group was arrested Tuesday on assault charges.
This was a day after Mayor Ted Wheeler complained that law enforcement was basically ignoring violent protests in Portland.
Protests occur often in Portland and police have at times struggled to contain violent clashes.
"In what city is it legal to engage in a street brawl?" Mayor Ted Wheeler asked Monday at a news conference.
, was booked Tuesday in connection with a June attack.
He faces charges of third-degree assault, a felony, and fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.
Flippo and another Proud Boys member were indicted in connection with the June 8 assault of a man who said the pair shouted homophobic slurs at him. The other Proud Boys member hasn't yet been arrested.
A request for comment Tuesday evening from police about the timing of Flippo's arrest wasn't immediately answered.
On Monday, Wheeler called for a change to laws if they don't allow police officers to arrest brawlers and vowed that anyone fighting will not go unpunished.
Wheeler also said prosecutors were being too timid and not enforcing existing law.
Wheeler mentioned an Oct. 13 fight outside a downtown bar in which members of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer and left-wing Antifa used fists, batons and even bear mace. Police were present but did not attempt any arrests.
Wheeler said officials in Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill's office told mayoral aides that prosecutors could do nothing because the law allows for "mutual combat" between people fighting.
"That was an unacceptable answer for me," Wheeler said. "C'mon folks, we're overcomplicating this. You're not allowed to fight on the streets of the city."