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Police meme about beating ‘dirty hippies’ sparks investigation — Analysis

Portland police has come beneath hearth after a coaching slide seemingly condoned beating and pepper-spraying protesters

The Portland Police Bureau has launched an investigation after a ‘proper wing meme’ about officers beating a “soiled hippy” with dreadlocks was included in a police coaching presentation.

The meme – which was turned over to legal professionals for the Black Lives Matter group ‘Don’t Shoot Portland’ final yr – was made public final week and confirmed controversial textual content laid over an outdated picture of a police officer beating a protester.

The activist group is suing Portland metropolis for utilizing “extreme pressure” towards demonstrators throughout the George Floyd protests in 2020.

“And the Lord stated… Woe be unto you, soiled hippy: For thou stinketh of patchouli and BO,” the textual content learn, describing the protester as having “dreadlocks and white pores and skin.”

“I shall ship amongst you my humble servants with hat, and with bat, that they might christen your heads with hickory and anoint your faces with pepper spray,” the meme continued. “And as soon as thou hast been cuffed and stuffed; As soon as thou has been stitched and bandaged; Maybe you shall study, I’m bored with your s***.”

The meme was allegedly included on the finish of a 110-slide police coaching presentation and the one who included it has not but been recognized.

In a press release on Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler stated he was “disgusted that this offensive content material was added to a coaching presentation for our law enforcement officials” and claimed {that a} “thorough and full investigation was beneath approach.”

“I consider that the hardworking members of the Portland Police Bureau who’re seeing this for the primary time are additionally angered and disgusted by the picture and the phrases on this slide and the way it portrays members of our group and regulation enforcement,” the mayor continued, concluding that Portland Police “should reject the dangerous and divisive perspective expressed.”

FBI infiltrated Portland protests and recorded attendees – report

In keeping with The Oregonian, the meme originates from the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights – a right-wing avenue militia that has been identified to conflict with anarchists. The Southern Poverty Regulation Middle describes the FOAK as being the “tactical protection arm” of the Proud Boys.

In 2020, riots broke out in Portland over the police taking pictures of African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis. Peaceable protests within the metropolis shortly devolved into civil unrest, together with looting, arson, vandalism, and violence. One man, Aaron Danielson – a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer – was shot and killed by an Antifa supporter throughout the unrest.

Final yr, after one police officer was indicted on prices associated to the riot response, a whole crew of fifty law enforcement officials voted to resign in protest.

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