Demonstrators rally around a fire during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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UPDATED 4:50 PM PT — Sunday, July 26, 2020
Leaders of Portland’s NAACP chapter are calling for protesters to bring demonstrations back to form. Chapter president E.D. Mondainé recently called attention to what he believes is a “white spectacle” brought on by leftist agitators, such as Antifa.
He claimed these left-wing organizations have hijacked demonstrations and are distracting the public from protesters’ real message.
“We’re not going to quit until we see justice for everybody, we’re not going to stop,” said Mondainé. “It’s not the mayor’s issue, it’s not the commissioner’s issue, but it’s our issue.”
Demonstrators try to topple a steel fence during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The NAACP leader stressed these protests are supposed to call attention to racial disparities felt by the black community and should be conducted peacefully. He also doesn’t want to discourage white participation in protests and added the goal is to encourage justice for all.
Mondainé went on to say some civil rights leaders, namely Malcolm X, have mistakenly brushed off white people from joining protests. These leaders apparently believed they would cause distractions.
“We welcome all of the help that we can get from our very well-meaning, I call them sisters and brothers, allies and accomplices. We need them. But, we need them to show up how we need them to show up, not how they think is best.” – E.D. Mondainé, President of the NAACP Portland Chapter
A demonstrator wears a face mask during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
He also believes protesters may have to fall back due to the violence that erupted in Portland. He added organizers may have to restrategize.
Mondainé has urged the movement to mobilize and speak up at local government meetings, such as school board and city council meetings.
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