The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is facing serious backlash after a conservative journalist was attacked during a protest, only to be blamed for the episode. Katie Daviscourt, a staff reporter for The Post Millennial, was assaulted by a female Antifa militant wielding a flagpole, leaving her with a black eye and a concussion. Instead of condemning the violent act, the PPB suggested in an internal report that Daviscourt “instigated” the assault simply by being present.
In the report drafted by PPB Sgt. Andrew Braun, Daviscourt was labeled a “counter-protester,” along with fellow journalists and activists who have also suffered attacks at these protests. Braun claimed that they were a “chronic source of police and medical calls at ICE.” He went on to assert that they routinely return to protest sites, disregarding police warnings and provoking confrontations. This characterization likely reflects a troubling pattern in the handling of protests by law enforcement in Portland.
Daviscourt rebuffed the police’s claims, insisting that her only aim was to report on the events as they unfolded. “I ran straight to a Portland police officer,” she recounted, detailing her efforts to track down her attacker who had fled to a nearby “safehouse.” Despite her clear identification of the assailant, police refused to take action.
Her reporting on the turmoil outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland has been extensive, chronicling not just Antifa’s aggressive tactics but also threats against law enforcement and federal property. This has been a stark contrast to local legacy media outlets, which have reportedly turned a blind eye to violent protests for safety reasons. “I just want to do my job,” Daviscourt affirmed in a defiant statement.
The response from The Post Millennial calls attention to the larger issue of how journalists covering volatile situations are often victimized and mischaracterized. They noted that her diligent reporting has not only documented Antifa activities but also highlighted how individuals like her face aggression when reporting on protests.
Public outrage has grown in light of the PPB’s comments. Many perceive them as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the violence that occurs during these protest confrontations. This response has led to federal scrutiny, with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division launching an investigation into the PPB’s conduct regarding both Daviscourt’s assault and another incident involving conservative political commentator Nick Sortor, who was also attacked while reporting.
The inconsistencies in law enforcement action—where Sortor was arrested after defending himself while those who assaulted him faced no repercussions—have ignited further concern about police accountability. In a correspondence to the Portland city attorney and police chief, the DOJ raised valid questions about the disparate treatment of individuals involved in these incidents and the police force’s failure to protect victims of politically motivated violence.
On a broader scale, the violent environment surrounding protests has escalated to such a degree that the Secretary of War has intervened, announcing the deployment of National Guard troops to support federal law enforcement efforts at the ICE facility. This decision met resistance from Oregon’s political leadership, who filed motions against federal intervention, revealing stark political divides over how to handle civil unrest.
Katie Daviscourt’s experience sheds light on the increasing hostility journalists face in the current climate. In an era where reporting the truth can result in violence, the role of law enforcement and government in safeguarding freedom of the press becomes more critical. As the investigation unfolds, the outcome may have lasting implications for how authorities protect not just public safety but also the rights of journalists doing their essential work.
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