Portland Mayoral Candidate Praises Biden for Saying, 'Antifa Is An Idea'
Far-left Sarah Iannarone praises Democratic Presidential nominee
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Far-left Portland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone praised Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for his comment calling the violent group Antifa just "an idea."
Iannarone's comments come as she leads incumbent Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) by double digits.
The statement was made during Thursday night's debate between the candidates running for Portland mayor.
KGW-TV debate moderator Laural Porter asked Iannarone, "You've been called the 'Antifa Mayor.' Are you Antifa, and how would that guide how you would handle protests as mayor?"
Iannarone responded:
"I love that Joe Biden answered this question before me, because being opposed to fascism in 2020 is not something to be embarrassed about."
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"I have a bumper sticker from the beginning of my campaign that says #EverydayAntifascist," Iannarone said.
"And what I have tried to do is normalize peaceful responses to the rise of white nationalism by organizing in my community."
"This summer, when the Proud Boys came to town, I organized a menstrual product drive for my neighbors residing in the women's center," the Portland mayoral candidate replied.
"Because the answer toxic masculinity is an inclusive, pluralist society where people of all backgrounds feel welcome."
When asked if she is "Antifa," Iannarone replied:
"Antifa is not anything more than an idea, that's what vice president Biden explained to us. It's people who oppose anti-fascism. And I strongly oppose anti-fascism, and I adopt and implement peaceful responses to that. And that is how I describe my position on this issue."
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"Donald Trump has decided to make the enemy of groups of people who oppose his bullies and his militia forces," she continued.
"But I'm not going to be caught up in that rhetoric because it's false. It creates division in our society. It creates division in our city. What we need is every single Portlander faced in the right direction, saying 'Hate is not welcome here.'"
Leading contender in Portland mayor race asked, “Are you Antifa?” Look how she answers. (Spoiler: YES) pic.twitter.com/YMDxbiAFLA
— David Reaboi (@davereaboi) October 9, 2020
Last year, Iannarone declared, "I am Antifa. I stand proudly beside the good people of this city organizing in countless ways every day to oppose hate in its myriad forms."
I am antifa.
— sarah iannarone (she/her) (@sarahforpdx) September 27, 2019
I stand proudly beside the good people of this city organizing in countless ways every day to oppose hate in its myriad forms. #EverydayAntifascist pic.twitter.com/QPSGKuHHNK
Portland resident asked Iannarone what she would do about the "dangerous and violent" riots.
But Iannarone skirted the question, instead saying she would hold the police accountable.
"We need equal enforcement of the law regardless of who is engaging in criminal activity," the candidate stated.
"And as Portland mayor, I will not be able to control what any individual protester is doing in the streets. My job will be making sure that the police do their jobs, making sure they are held accountable for when they break procedure and even the law. That will be my job as Portland mayor, and ultimately, we'll have a police force that's well equipped to enforce the law without racial bias in the future."
"I condemn violence in all forms," Iannarone added.
"I always have. But we must know that the answer to protests about police brutality cannot be increased police brutality."
EVEN MORE INSANE: Portland guy asks a really good question about how to stop the Antifa/BLM violence, because citizens and businesses are suffering.
— David Reaboi (@davereaboi) October 9, 2020
“Antifa Mayor” then bashes and promises to crack down on the Police. pic.twitter.com/PAFkBewO9W
According to the survey, citing a poll of likely voters, Sarah Iannarone polled at 41% to Wheeler's 30% with the remaining 29% split between writing in a candidate (16%) or remaining undecided (13%).
The poll, conducted on behalf of the Portland Business Alliance, has a 4% margin of error, Willamette Week said.
