Portland, Seattle, and NYC mayors issue response to DOJ designation

Sep 21 2020, 10:22 pm

In a report published Monday morning by the United States Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr classified cities with consecutive Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations as “Jurisdictions Permitting Violence And Destruction Of Property.”

The list included Portland, Seattle, and New York City, citing continued damage, protests, and “anarchy” as reasons to potentially cut off major forms of federal funding.

Earlier this month, President Trump issued a memorandum that cited “lawless cities” shouldn’t receive taxpayer money and wrote, “We’re putting them on notice today.” With today’s list published by Attorney General William Barr, the Trump administration looks to act on that warning.

In response to being designated as “Anarchist Jurisdictions” from Attorney General Barr and the Trump administration, the currently sitting leaders issued a joint statement.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio all signed the statement that reads:

“This is thoroughly political and unconstitutional… The President is playing cheap political games with Congressionally directed funds. Our cities are bringing communities together; our cities are pushing forward after fighting back a pandemic and facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, all despite recklessness and partisanship from the White House.”

“What the Trump Administration is engaging in now is more of what we’ve seen all along: shirking responsibility and placing blame elsewhere to cover its failure.”

Wyatt FossettWyatt Fossett

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