I am a firm supporter of the First Amendment, no matter the views expressed.
Peaceful demonstrations are essential to our democratic system. Unfortunately, some individuals have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity, including arson, rioting, looting, and damaging public and private property.
We are fortunate to live in an attractive, highly desirable and vibrant city. A city that is growing, that draws new residents and visitors from across the world each day and a city with a great sense of pride in all we do and have to offer.
If you intend to use our beautiful city to cause mayhem, disturb the peace, create fear and commit violence, you are not welcome here.
This is part of the core media strategy out of Trump's White House: to use federal troops to bolster his sagging poll data. And it is an absolute abuse of federal law enforcement officials.
My fight isn't with Charlie Hales. My fight is with the problems he has failed to address as mayor.
At a time when leadership on climate protection and clean energy are more vital than ever, Portland and Oregon must step up and lead.
Clean energy provides a unique opportunity in rural and urban communities alike by training Oregonians with new skills for projects that must be built in our communities and can't be outsourced.
When Oregon was founded as a state in 1857, its constitution explicitly banned Black people from visiting, living and owning property here.
From Portland's ban on large, fossil fuel terminals to Oregon's Clean Fuels Standard and the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Act, our local actions send ripples through the energy landscape nationwide.
Imagine a safe city with all the affordable housing we need, a city that uses its resources to help lift the marginalized up and into stability. This is the Portland I imagine. This is the Portland I dream about every single day.
And by reducing carbon pollution in our atmosphere, we are protecting our air, water, mountains, forests, deserts, valleys, coasts and rivers - the astounding natural ecosystems that support all life and make Oregon the special place we call home.
In order to do the right thing and to provide the right long-term view for the city, it might mean you're only in politics for a little while.
I didn't get into politics so that I could take little bites around the edges.
If people are expecting the mayor of Portland to solve the problem of homelessness they're going to be sorely disappointed and that's just the truth.
If I cannot address the issue of visible homelessness and abject poverty on the streets of this community, I will not get re-elected in four years.
Portland has a long history of embracing the most important of American values. Those are the rights to assembly and the rights to free speech. And we're proud of protecting those core American values.
I said I wanted to lay the foundation for my governance and that included building relations with the City Council, with bureau directors, making sure we had the right leaders in place, making sure we're communicating with community groups that have an interest in of policymaking. I feel that we did that.
There's some basic ideals that we should be able to agree on as Americans: We don't tolerate violence on our streets.
There is definitely a balance that I have to strike both in terms of supporting the Police Bureau - making sure they have the tools and the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. But I also have an important role to play when it comes to oversight and accountability.
