Thanks for covering this. I agree with DSA in that Wheeler should not be managing Portland Police Bureau, but having another commissioner take it over is not the answer. Though I would much prefer Hardesty to manage this, she is one commissioner, and her tenure will not be indefinite. We need to split the responsibilities of PPB across city council so there is greater oversight and accountability. Imagine calling Commissioners Fritz or Eudaly and being able to actually put pressure on them to do more about police misconduct and violence in our communities. And how is it that Wheeler will effectively argue against this position? No, bad democracy, sharing power, never. Nice arguments there Wheeler!

No single individual should have this much power over the bureau, it will always result in a single leverage point - one where police unions and corporations and those satisfied with the status quo of unchecked abuses and nonexistent oversight / transparency (coughs, def looking at you IPR / CRC, lolol, "Independent" Police Review). No, we cannot have this and we need more oversight and shared responsibility over a bureau that is utterly out of control.

And yes, abolish the police please. We need social workers and affordable housing and healthcare and community safety plans and mutual support - not violent, unaccountable cops cavorting with white supremacists (who happen to not have badges)

@Slackz: Abolish the police?
Here's two scenarios for you:

Someone has broken into a home and taken the homeowner and two kids hostage. What would you propose be done if there were no police? Offer the hostage taker affordable housing?

2, A mass shooter has opened fire in an elementary school. What would you propose be done if there were no police? Send in armed social workers?

Holding this city government meeting in this church implies government endorsement of this creed. Were other churches also asked for the use of their facilities; such as Episcopal or Catholic?

At this point, I want to know why there isn't an actual proper investigation (with warrants) into the Patriot Prayer Group. There is no reason for this not to be investigated as you would any other organized crime gang. Maybe the actual Feds need to be involved. This is an active hate group terrorizing a city. Everything is traceable these days, don't tell me it can't be done. Our leaders either have the will to do it, or they don't. If this doesn't get handled properly, this will make the shit that went down in the 90's look like nothing.