"OPB first reported on the councilor's comments and ordinance, and has confirmed Smith's decision to rescind the proposal. "To be clear, I denounce violence. I want to emphasize that violence is not the first and only solution to solving matters," Smith stated in a news release Friday. "And improving our security protocols is the best first action rather than an open carry ordinance.""
"Councilor Smith's firearm comments came a day after a City Council meeting was disrupted by protesters and abruptly shut down, after activists shouted demands for the Council to revoke the permit for the ICE facility in Portland's South Waterfront neighborhood. While the land use permit is currently under review, city councilors maintain they don't have the authority to immediately revoke it. Security guards intervened Wednesday night after a few protesters approached the dais where councilors were seated following the public comment period."
Councilor Loretta Smith initially indicated she was crafting an ordinance to allow councilors to openly carry loaded firearms at City Hall. Her office released an unclear explanation of intent before she rescinded the proposal. Smith issued a statement denouncing violence and urging improved security protocols as a first action rather than an open carry ordinance. The remarks followed a City Council meeting that was disrupted and briefly shut down when protesters demanded revocation of a land use permit for an ICE facility in South Waterfront. Security guards and Portland Police cleared the chambers and arrested four protesters; the meeting resumed online about 30 minutes later.
Read at Portland Mercury
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