Cornyn booed 'viciously' after taking gun control deal back to Texas GOP



U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) was loudly booed at the Republican Party of Texas Convention in Houston, where the state GOP adopted a resolution condemning the bipartisan gun control framework he has negotiated in the Senate.

As Cornyn took the stage to speak Friday afternoon, members of the audience chanted "no red flags" and "say no to Cornyn," drowning out his remarks with furious objections to the new gun control measures proposed by a gang of 20 senators in the wake of the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas.

\u201cUS Sen John Cornyn gets viciously booed during much of his speech here at the Republican Party of Texas Convention. Here\u2019s his closing remarks and the cascade of boos.\u201d
— Jeremy Wallace (@Jeremy Wallace) 1655492225

According to NPR's the Texas Newsroom, many of the people attending the convention called Cornyn a RINO — Republican in name only — for being the lead Republican negotiator on the gun deal, which would fund mental health programs and incentivize states to pass "red-flag" laws.

Gun rights activists oppose red-flag laws, which permit authorities to seek a court order to take an individual's firearms away if that person is believed to be a danger to themself or others, on the grounds that they have insufficient due process protections to prevent abuse. The bipartisan framework would not enact a federal red-flag law, instead it would provide financial incentives to state governments that choose to enact such laws. It would also expand background checks for gun purchases to include the juvenile and mental health records of people under 21.

Cornyn attempted to defend the bipartisan deal during his speech, telling Texas Republicans it would include "more mental health resources, more support for our schools and making sure that violent criminals and the mentally ill cannot buy a firearm," according to reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán. But the crowd was unwilling to listen.

\u201cAs Cornyn talks, folks are rowdy. Chanting \u201cno red flags\u201d and \u201csay no to Cornyn.\u201d\n\nWhen Cornyn talks about electing new leadership, folks scream \u201clike Cornyn!\u201d\u201d
— Sergio Mart\u00ednez-Beltr\u00e1n (@Sergio Mart\u00ednez-Beltr\u00e1n) 1655491050

Pictures posted on Twitter showed convention goers tossing lanyards with Cornyn's name on them into the trash.

\u201cTX GOP convention: red lanyards are @JohnCornyn lanyards. Friend wrote me: "People are throwing them away in droves to get a different one." \n\nNow Texans just need to throw him out of office.\u201d
— Pedro L. Gonzalez (@Pedro L. Gonzalez) 1655477901

Earlier on Thursday, the Republican Party of Texas' Platform Committee unanimously approved a resolution that condemned the gun deal Cornyn negotiated with Democrats and the other nine Republicans who are in favor of it, Texas Scorecard reported.

The text of the resolution reads:

Whereas those under 21 are most likely to be victims of violent crime and thus most likely to need to defend themselves.

Whereas “red flag laws” violate one’s right to due process and are a pre-crime punishment of people not adjudicated guilty.

Whereas waiting periods on gun purchases harm those who need to acquire the means of self defense in emergencies such as riots.

Whereas all gun control is a violation of the Second Amendment and our God given rights.

We reject the so called “bipartisan gun agreement”, and we rebuke Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

As of yet, there is no draft bill for the gun control deal. Several Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have expressed reservations about throwing their full support behind the framework before seeing the legislative text.

Portland rioters set fire to Apple store that had George Floyd mural, vandalize church that feeds the homeless



For the third time this week, a riot was declared in Portland late Friday night after insurgents demanding social justice caused widespread damage to businesses and a church that feeds the homeless weekly.

A group of several hundred people marched through Portland on Friday. During the BLM protest, the crowd chanted, "If we don't get it, shut it down!" and "Black lives matter!"

Demonstrators are holding candles and chanting “black lives matter” https://t.co/QjkIXO37bk
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1618633197.0

The Portland Police reported looting and some stores were vandalized with anti-cop graffiti. There were also reports of gunshots. Some rioters destroyed the storefront windows of Nordstrom, Verizon, Nike, Starbucks, and banks.

During the height of last summer's protests against police brutality, Nike pledged $40 million over four years to "support the Black community" and to "supporting organizations that put social justice, education and addressing racial inequality in America at the center of their work." At the same time, Verizon announced that it would donate $10 million to various social justice groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Urban League. The Starbucks Foundation offered $1 million in neighborhood grants to support racial equality in response to the death of George Floyd.

Portland: #Antifa smashed up the Nike store in downtown at their riot. They tried looting it last year but was stop… https://t.co/bQcOzfECQN
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1618639906.0


Portland: @starbucks was smashed up again by #antifa at their downtown riot. This happens regularly in the city for… https://t.co/EJymIIULhi
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1618640083.0

Arsonists set the Apple store on fire while at least two security guards were inside the building, according to KOIN-TV reporter Jenny Young.

Antifa set the Apple store in Portland on fire https://t.co/h3hqxJW1gq
— Jack Posobiec (@Jack Posobiec)1618657551.0


Portland Fire here now. At least two security guards were inside. #Portland @KOINNews https://t.co/Terth9vqQ9
— Jenny Young (@Jenny Young)1618643469.0


Damage at the Apple Store https://t.co/RDGIlSUOmS
— Portland Police (@Portland Police)1618645908.0


Additional photos of fire damage in downtown Portland from arson fires set during a riot. https://t.co/P5VJ7cQtbV
— Portland Police (@Portland Police)1618651568.0

Last summer, Apple had a mural of George Floyd and the words "I can't breathe" painted on the tech company's downtown Portland store. Apple donated the artwork to the nonprofit Don't Shoot PDX, started by Black Lives Matter supporter Teressa Raiford.

Last June, Apple announced that it was launching a $100 million initiative to promote racial equality for people of color with a focus on "education, economic equality, and criminal justice reform.

Artists created a Black Lives Matter mural outside an Apple Store in Portland, Oregon. ✊🏿 https://t.co/g44jkOjkcx https://t.co/BcDkYJhyu8
— Eyewitness News (@Eyewitness News)1591375516.0


Apple has donated the historic Black Lives Matter mural from its downtown Portland store to @DontShootPdx https://t.co/tQKwzg5Vpy
— Mike Rogoway (@Mike Rogoway)1611356093.0

"Windows were also broken at the First Christian Church, a location known for their generosity in feeding over a thousand meals weekly to the homeless," the Portland Police Bureau reported.

"These are the people feeding the unhoused and telling the story of racial injustice in Oregon. It just doesn't make sense," a downtown Portland resident told Shane D. Kavanaugh, a reporter with The Oregonian.

The Oregon Historical Society was also damaged; vandals wrote: "NO MORE HISTORY."

Here’s another look at the damage at First Christian Church https://t.co/OYtBnACXfJ
— Megan Allison (@Megan Allison)1618637159.0


Vandals have struck Oregon Historical Society and 1st Christian Church in downtown Portland. Police have declared a… https://t.co/rrkxSDBOvJ
— Matt Rashleigh (@Matt Rashleigh)1618636725.0


Oregon Historical Society & First Christian Church.Downtown Portland resident tells me: “These are the people fee… https://t.co/hKehojy6Gq
— Shane D. Kavanaugh (@Shane D. Kavanaugh)1618678319.0

There were a total of four people taken into custody during the riot, according to police.

Oregon State Police declare unlawful assembly as anti-lockdown protesters storm Capitol building, try to disrupt special session



Oregon State Police declared an anti-lockdown protest at the Capitol in Salem to be an unlawful assembly on Monday, after demonstrators stormed the building as lawmakers met for a special legislative session.

Protesters broke doors and some pushed their way into the locked building, leading to arrests.

What are the details?

Fox News reported that the "Reopen Oregon" protest occurred during a single-day session where legislators met to vote on coronavirus-related measures after Gov. Kate Brown (D) issued an extension of Oregon's state of emergency from Jan. 2 to March 3.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting:

The Oregon State Police declared an unlawful assembly as a growing number of protesters pushed their way through the Capitol doors chanting, "let us in" and "arrest Kate Brown." Police officers donned gas masks as they squared off with protesters, some of whom carried firearms and bear spray, and many of whom were not wearing masks. Among the protesters were members of Patriot Prayer, a far-right group based in Vancouver, Washington, that attracts white supremacists and has engaged in violence.

Footage taken by OPB shows protesters breaking a pair of glass doors to the Capitol in an apparent attempt to enter.

Anti-lockdown protestors break door of Capitol building https://t.co/UW06w6T127
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1608586807.0

Some demonstrators were able to make their way inside.

The San Francisco Gate reported that according to police:

While entering the building, protestors used chemical agents and bear spray against officers. At least two people were arrested after a smaller group of protestors were successful in entering a portion of the Capitol building. Outside protesters banged their fists against the doors chanting, "Let us in."

KGW-TV reported that the bills set for consideration during the special session included "a proposed eviction moratorium that includes $200 million in relief for landlords and tenants, a restaurant relief package that includes a provision legalizing cocktails to-go, a bill that would protect schools from some coronavirus-related lawsuits and a measure that would transfer $600 million in to the state's emergency fund for COVID-19 and wildfire-response and recovery."

Police forming riot line https://t.co/ORFoUMp5ZN
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1608587216.0

Portland cop chases Antifa rioter and tackles him to street. But when leftist pulls off cop's helmet, all bets are off.



Antifa rioted in Portland yet again Monday night.

Rioters set a fire on the ground floor of the high-rise condominium where far-left Mayor Ted Wheeler lives, the Oregonian said, and — given it was the mayor's birthday — wore party hats and sang "happy tear gas to you" before the festivities began.

Here's a peek at how they helped him celebrate:

Antifa rioters set off fireworks at @tedwheeler’s NW Portland condo. They’ve also started a large fire on the stree… https://t.co/oyxi5pDR2L
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598940219.0

But on this 96th consecutive night of mayhem in the city, police weren't playing.

After a riot was declared, officers got to work:

Police bull rush and push protestors to the ground https://t.co/vjAbCn7Met
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598940734.0

Journalist Sergio Olmos noted that police soon enacted a second bull rush on rioters. And in the sequence Olmos caught on video below, one officer runs ahead of the pack, grabs an Antifa militant, and tackles him to the street.

But the black-clad leftist — flat on his back while the cop is on top of him — apparently still has a little bit of resistance in him and pulls the officer's helmet from his head.

The officer proceeds to repeatedly punch the militant:

Here is the longer clip of the second bull rush, this is the second incident tonight of police officers punching pr… https://t.co/nR3gbwFYNy
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598942606.0

All in all, the Oregonian said police arrested 19 people in connection with Monday night's rioting.

Eight arrestees were charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer, the paper said, adding that two were accused of carrying concealed weapons — with one of them also accused of attempted assault on a public safety officer. It isn't clear what charges, if any, the Antifa rioter who pulled off the officer's helmet faces.

More from the Oregonian:

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has said his office won't pursue demonstrators accused of interfering with police and disorderly conduct, among other charges, if the allegations don't involve "deliberate'' property damage, theft or force against another person, or threats of force.

The office also won't prosecute people on a riot accusation alone. Prosecutors will proceed with a riot case only if it includes an accompanying allegation of specific property damage or use of force, Schmidt said last month.

How did folks react to the cop's punches?

Journalist Andy Ngo posted Olmos' clip of the officer punching the Antifa rioter on his Twitter page, and reactions were mixed. In fact, it appeared that most commenters weren't happy that a police officer used such force — but still a number of others said it's been a long time coming based on three months of lawlessness and violence against police:

  • "This is my favorite clip of the night," one commenter wrote.
  • "I think the cop should receive the same punishment as most of these rioters: release without bail and no follow-up on the charges," another commenter quipped.
  • "The feel good image of the summer," another commenter said.
  • "Dude knocked the cops helmet off trying to resist, got his melon knocked a few times," another user noted. "These people have been assaulting cops for more than 3 months. DA Mike Schmidt is responsible for this. Stop the catch and release, hold these people accountable."
  • "Next we will see footage of this clown calling them pussies and doing something...up to the point of slammed...then he cries 'ugh I'm not fighting you' LOL...funny how the 'bold' become the spineless..." another commenter said.

Black Lives Matter protesters chain themselves together in lobby of Mayor Ted Wheeler's condo, riots erupt in Portland



A group of Black Lives Matter protesters chained themselves together inside the lobby of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's condo on Friday night. The sit-in was part of a larger demonstration outside of Wheeler's apartment, where approximately 150 people gathered to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

At around 7 p.m., approximately one dozen BLM protesters assembled inside the lobby of progressive mayor's apartment complex in the Pearl District. The group vowed to stay locked inside the lobby until Wheeler heard their demands. The group left three hours later.

The group demanded that Wheeler reduce the Portland Police Bureau budget, commit to never voting for police budget increases again, abolish the police bureau, and for the Democratic mayor to resign.

"Specifically, we demand that you and your fellow city leaders immediately develop a task force to plan for a 50% reduction of the Portland Police Bureau budget by 2021, and a complete abolition of the Portland Police Bureau by 2022, with no private or technological replacement," the Portland group demanded. "This timeline gives existing police officers ample time to find and train for alternative, meaningful work that benefits the community."

"Furthermore, we demand that the resources saved from the abolition of the Portland Police Bureau be re-invested into Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities, community-centered health and safety, and city services and programs that address the root causes of violence, crime, and inequality," the group added. "We also demand that you - with your extreme wealth, nepotistic career history, and family legacy that highlight you as a true embodiment of white supremacy - resign from your position as the Police Commisioner and Mayor of Portland."

PORTLAND: You do realize protesters are occupying mayor @tedwheeler’s apartment complex And won’t leave until he… https://t.co/1aMG4khoVT
— ELIJAH RIOT (@ELIJAH RIOT)1598686751.0
Protesters dancing in the street in front of the Portland mayor’s apartment. #blacklivesmatter #protest #pdx… https://t.co/6CDJyJfu6t
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598668318.0
Three Black Lives Matter protesters have locked arms and are refusing to move from the lobby of Mayor @tedwheeler's… https://t.co/mNGS53XNFZ
— Alex Milan Tracy (@Alex Milan Tracy)1598666645.0
One of the people who chained herself inside @tedwheeler’s condo lobby is Olivia Morgan. She was arrested just two… https://t.co/XYB3rQtf59
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598671557.0

One resident of the apartment building tried to broker a meeting between Wheeler and the protesters. David Kahn, former president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, stopped to speak to the demonstrators inside the lobby.

Kahn, who said he is a friend of the mayor, told The Oregonian he offered to set up a meeting on Monday with Wheeler, but the group declined.

"I'm certain that if he was here tonight we probably could have arranged for something, but he's not," Kahn said. "But I know for a fact that is a standing policy for him."

Tim Becker, a spokesperson for Wheeler, did not confirm whether the mayor was at his home or not.

Protesters painted bloody red handprints on the windows of the lobby and put up signs that read: "Send Teddy to the Hague."

Agitators shined lights into the windows of the apartment building, and a metal band played live music outside the condos in an effort to not allow Wheeler to get sleep. The security at the condo reportedly called police, but authorities did not respond.

A resident of the condo building allegedly threw objects at the protesters from their window or balcony.

Antifa and BLM are flashing strobe lights into @tedwheeler’s condo building in NW Portland. They’re also hosting a… https://t.co/JlX96x3tRf
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598677290.0
Here’s the band! #BlackLivesMatter #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests https://t.co/YfXQrmvCMp
— Jules Boykoff (@Jules Boykoff)1598675135.0
BREAKING VIDEO: Protesters outside the apartment building of Ted Wheeler are making sure he doesn’t sleep tonight.… https://t.co/K99d56PCRP
— Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐ (@Anoncat Ⓐ☂️🏴 ➐)1598672732.0
Security for @tedwheeler’s condo said a while ago they called police but no one has showed up so far. That part of… https://t.co/K2wBRbHyk6
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598672282.0

Protesters also gathered outside of Wheeler's apartment in June. The protest was declared an unlawful assembly.

Wheeler was outside cleaning up trash in his neighborhood the next day. "I live here, and these are my neighbors," Wheeler said in June. "And I'm sure they're not very happy this morning. They're probably not very excited to be my neighbors at the moment."

Wheeler attempted to pander to far-left protesters in July, but that ended with miserably for the Democratic mayor. Agitators threw objects at him, cursed at him, called him a "f***ing fascist," and chanted: "Tear Gas Teddy!" The protest turned violent and tear gas was deployed towards the crowd, including Wheeler.

For the 93rd straight night, there were protests in Portland. On Friday night, shots were allegedly fired into the air, and nobody was hurt.

The Portland Police union building was set on fire.

"Individuals wheeled multiple dumpsters into the road and lit at least one on fire. The fire was in the road and not threatening any structures. In the interest of deescalating the situation, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers remained out of sight," the Portland Police Bureau said. "However, arsonists put some debris, including a large mattress, against the front door of the building, appeared to spray accelerant on it, and lit it on fire. The flames appeared to engulf the front door area of the building and nearly reach the roofline."

"Due to the extreme life safety concerns, the Incident Commander declared the incident a riot," they added.

Here is a shell casing on the street https://t.co/ojhNOLV3XV
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598692149.0
After occupying area outside @tedwheeler’s condo, #antifa have returned to rioting. They have shut down the street… https://t.co/KZTvAqWeug
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598687277.0
Mattress set on fire in front of the Police Union building, it is currently uninhabited. #blacklivesmatter … https://t.co/TTOowl5Sr2
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598687167.0
To those gathered outside of the Portland Police Association Office on North Lombard Street:This gathering has bee… https://t.co/FzxUVwA00w
— Portland Police (@Portland Police)1598686769.0

Portland erupts in violence as left-wing and right-wing protesters clash in all-out brawls



Right-wing groups, including Proud Boys, believers in the QAnon conspiracy theory, Blue Lives Matter and Trump supporters such as Troops for Trump, held rallies, including the "No To Marxism" rally and the "Trump 2020 Cruise Rally" in Portland on Saturday afternoon. They were met by left-wing counter-protesters made up of of Antifa, self-proclaimed anti-fascists Popular Mobilization PDX, and Black Lives Matter.

Big group of “Blue Lives Matter” and Trump supporters out in Portland today https://t.co/su7ZaIkN9v
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598122988.0


Trump supporters arrive at justice https://t.co/7BAXsoZ4oW
— Sergio Olmos (@Sergio Olmos)1598124421.0

Many of the right-wing protesters had shields honoring their cause, and both groups used pepper spray and fired paintball guns. During the demonstrations, violence escalated from throwing projectiles and shoving to all-out brawls erupting in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland.

Huge fight has just broken out between Proud boys and ANTIFA in front of Justice Center in Portland https://t.co/zleU0lhOIp
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598127043.0
Another mass brawl breaks out in downtown Portland. Proud Boys and other right-wing groups rush in and fight… https://t.co/LbdR9W2aId
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598137718.0
Another cut the right wing group charging into a crowd and beating people with sticks. They also throw an explosive… https://t.co/PWUOqWFcZQ
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598151629.0
An Antifascist with a paintball gun fires back. https://t.co/Qmmxmak7nx
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598127882.0
#Antifa squirting people with hot motor oil. https://t.co/9VKLIAT69Z
— Villain Phoenix (@Villain Phoenix)1598149870.0
The right wing group starts to fully retreat, the Antifascists advance forward. https://t.co/gWiUuIsE9g
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598131811.0

The Portland Police eventually declared the protest an "unlawful assembly."

The right-wing groups dispersed, and some were followed to a parking garage by a group of left-wing protesters. An Antifa group pursued members of the Proud Boys, some throwing objects as they walked down the street.

Video shows a female member of Antifa throw a punch at a Proud Boy member, and then another Proud Boy member retaliates by knocking her to the ground. Some people with Antifa cry for the police to intervene.

Department of Homeland Security officers set up a perimeter at the Terry Schrunk Plaza, and attempted to break up the crowds by using pepper bullets.

An #antifa mob find & chase down a Proud Boys group that got separated trying to leave downtown Portland. One maske… https://t.co/Tz54UCOQ3W
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1598145250.0
ANTIFA have backed a smaller group of proud boys into a parking garage https://t.co/1e26JQxXNi
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savanah Hernandez)1598131532.0
The DHS officers are pushing people out of the park, firing off impact rounds and/or pepper bullets. https://t.co/ZksOggtfJB
— Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof) (@Garrison Davis (Teargas Proof))1598133617.0

The Portland Police Bureau released a statement regarding Saturday's violence.

"On Saturday, August 22, 2020 several different groups gathered in Downtown Portland around noon," the press release read. "There were a variety of groups with various ideologies represented and several hundred individuals filled the streets and nearby park."

"Officers located a bucket containing condoms filled with an unknown liquid substance and a water bottle with what appeared to be urine along with several shields staged near the park at Southwest 4th Avenue and Salmon," the statement said.

"Over the course of the next two hours, the groups remained in the streets. Individuals yelled at each other and there were some physical interactions which quickly resolved themselves," the Portland Police said. "Some members from both groups threw projectiles and deployed aerosols like pepper and bear spray at each other. At times, fireworks were thrown and smoke canisters were deployed. Each skirmish appeared to involve willing participants and the events were not enduring in time, so officers were not deployed to intervene."

Portland Police explained why they did not stop the fighting between the groups, "PPB had limited resources available today for the events and many of those working had worked until the early morning hours as a result of the overnight riot. At one point during this call, there were only 4 available police cars in the entire City to respond to emergency calls for service."

"There have been questions about why the events downtown were not declared a riot and why police did not intervene," the statement continued. "Incident commanders have to weigh out the entire situation to determine if police action is likely to make things safer or not. In this case there were hundreds of individuals and many weapons within the groups and an extremely limited amount of police resources actually available to address such a crowd."

"Additionally, PPB members have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police, which is a major consideration for determining if police resources are necessary to interject between two groups with individuals who appear to be willingly engaging in physical confrontations for short durations," the statement went on to say.

"While the activity in the group met the definition of a riot, PPB did not declare one because there were not adequate police resources available to address such a declaration," the news release stated. "PPB had roughly 30 officers available for crowd management and there were several hundred individuals associated with the events downtown."

Saturday marked the 87th day of protests and riots in Portland.