This article contains in-part editorial content written by a retired Chief of Police and current staff writer for Law Enforcement Today.
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WASHINGTON, DC- Police in Washington DC are complaining that due to an order by officials delaying ability of officers to change into riot gear in a Wednesday disturbance, numerous officers sustained injuries which could have been avoided.
DC Police Union says nearly 20 officers were injured when they were delayed from changing into riot gear during protests at the 4D Station.
The protests began after Karon Hylton, a moped rider, died following a police pursuit. @ABC7Sam https://t.co/vFdjRwCEOr
— ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) October 31, 2020
The riots (we refuse to call them protests because they’re anything but) began after a moped rider named Karon Hylton died after sustaining injuries from a police pursuit last weekend. Because as we all know, people who engage police in pursuit have absolutely no responsibility should they become injured, or as in this case die.
Officials said that friends and families of Hylton went to the 4th District station last Wednesday for a protest that soon followed the typical course of such anti-police protests and devolved into a riot, where windows were broken and objects were thrown at police.
On Thursday, a similar scene followed suit, with fireworks being shot at police officers. Over the two nights, some 20 police officers were injured.
Happening Now: Protest underway, on Georgia Avenue, following #KaronHylton’s death on Friday. pic.twitter.com/Du4spb6PzP
— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@AnnaLysaGayle) October 28, 2020
Two Fridays ago, Hylton was seen riding an electric scooter or moped on a sidewalk in the area of 500 Kennedy St., NW. Police officials said police tried to stop the rider for operating on the sidewalk, at which point Hylton tried to exit into an alley where he collided with a passenger vehicle traveling on Kennedy St.
Police said they attempted to administer first aid to Hylton until the arrival of the fire department and EMS, however he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Rioters are demanding the Metropolitan Police Department release camera footage of the incident.
The crash remains under investigation. Police released the following statement:
Police released this statement following Hylton’s death. pic.twitter.com/tw0U0hBAX7
— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@AnnaLysaGayle) October 28, 2020
As far as the complaint lodged by the police union, they claim that the police reform bill passed by the DC council last summer is to blame, whereby officers are discouraged to wear riot gear at demonstrations. Because you know, we don’t want to offend the rioters.
Exactly.
Just learned this from Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the DC police union.
Strap on a helmet to protect your dome? That’s considered “use of force.”
Wild. https://t.co/X1NPzYaFaj
— Vince Coglianese (@VinceCoglianese) October 30, 2020
#NEW – DC Police Union responds to protests surrounding death of Karon Hylton
“If these violent incidents are allowed to continue, police officers will be placed in unnecessary danger, and the cost to the taxpayer will continue to skyrocket.”@wusa9 https://t.co/AfzMbuIc1n pic.twitter.com/3kGWuWwKjm
— Lorenzo Hall (@LorenzoHall) October 29, 2020
When he was asked about the controversy, Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham, who is evidently a pure political hack, appeared to be unaware of the complaints registered by the union about the delay.
“Don’t for one moment think that that equipment is 100% protection against being hit with a brick. You can still be seriously injured and that’s why I urge people to be peaceful.”
Yes, he said that. So chief, what happens when they are not being peaceful? Don’t you think an officer wearing a ballistic helmet might be just a tad safer than someone not wearing a helmet? What a ridiculous statement. You’ve gotta feel sorry for the MPD cops who work for this guy.
Last month, we told you about Portland, Oregon and how police there have been pretty much emasculated by their coward mayor and a city government that is more intent on tying the hands of police than dealing with their nightly riots. For more on that, we invite you to:
DIG DEEPER
PORTLAND, OR – Protesters in Portland gathered around the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city.
After federal police declared it an unlawful assembly and the protesters still continued to disperse, chemical agents and less lethal munitions were used to clear the area around the building.
Federal officers aren’t holding back tonight in responding to antifa rioters outside the ICE building. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/C0t2J71AoY
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 7, 2020
Since the in-custody death of George Floyd on Memorial Day of this year, members of Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and other opportunists have taken to nightly protests and riots in the city. For weeks, they have bombarded federal buildings and have moved into residential areas to wreak havoc. Now, they are once again focusing on the ICE building located in south Portland.
On October 6th, protesters gathered at the Elizabeth Caruthers Park and proceeded to march to the ICE building. According to reports, at approximately 10 p.m. Federal officers had declared the demonstration as an unlawful assembly.
The unruly crowd was told that they needed to leave the area. Initially, the protesters began to somewhat disperse; but then returned and gathered once again at the ICE building.
Someone in the crowd threw a smoke bomb which landed on the roof of the facility. Other protesters began throwing rocks at the officers outside, who were protecting the building, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Although the crowd had became increasingly violent toward law enforcement, the Portland Police did not immediately move them. According to Oregonlive.com, after roughly an hour later, police decided it was time to move the crowd, then moved in to disperse them.
Portland Police said:
“They [protesters] continued to block the street. Due to the seriousness of the crowd’s criminal behavior, the incident commander determined that the event was an unlawful assembly.”
Federal officers exited the building just before 11 p.m. and again gave the crowd a dispersal order. This time, giving the crowd 2 minutes to comply. When the two minute warning was up, the officers deployed chemical agents as well as less lethal munitions (rubber bullets, pepper balls and flash bangs) into the crowd.
Portland officers also moved in and reported that the disorderly rioters were still throwing rocks and other objects at them. The crowd eventually dispersed and Portland officers were able to take 4 people into custody. Federal law enforcement took two people into custody.
“Violent colonizers! This is native land!” shouts Tracy Molina to federal officers. Molina has been arrested seven times in recent violent Portland protests and riots and faces no consequence. #PortlandRiots #antifa https://t.co/OKTm3OYwWG
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 7, 2020
The two people who were arrested for the rioting by federal authorities were identified as Essence May Sylvester and Alexis Richter. The two appeared in federal court on October 7th. Both were alleged to have committed disorderly conduct on federal property and failure to obey a lawful order.
Sources stated that Richter and Sylvester had lain across the entryway to the ICE facility. Both were told numerous times to move and refused to do so. Additionally, they refused to identify themselves to authorities.
Both Richter and Sylvester were released from custody pending a future court date. They have been barred from being within three blocks of the ICE building between the hours of 9pm to 6am until their cases have been disposed in court.
Portland Police announced they had arrested four people in total during the mob violence.
KGW8 released the names of the 4 arrested and 1 who was cited:
“Zachary Forster, charged with interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct;
Sean Lopez, charged with disorderly conduct II;
Camillo Massagli, charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer;
Skyler Rider, charged with disorderly conduct, interfering with an officer, and assaulting a public safety officer.
Evan Henshaw-Plath, cited for an unlawful sound amplification.”
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt had stated previously that his office will not file any criminal charges against the protesters, unless there were allegations of intentional property damage, theft, or force against a person. Whether or not his office determines an officer being threatened or hit by objects meets his criteria, remains to be seen.
I wonder how it all started 👇 pic.twitter.com/jX79kyUQQe
— Two Dogs (@MisikinJohn) October 7, 2020
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