In a wild twist of events that could only happen in Oregon, Portland has found itself in the middle of a soap opera-worthy clash between opponents of ICE and, well, common sense. Activists, who have apparently mistaken their protest for a community picnic, have been spotted wielding a machete outside an ICE facility. Yes, you read that right. A machete. It’s not exactly the kind of “cutting edge” activism most folks had in mind. Unless your goal is to go viral on social media, you have to wonder if waving around a large blade is the best way to make your case.
Newsflash: protesting is one thing; brandishing sharp objects? That’s just taking “peaceful assembly” to a whole new level. It’s as if some of these demonstrators thought they were auditioning for a reality TV show entitled “Survivor: Portland Edition.” As the footage circulated, viewers could only shake their heads and wonder if they were watching a segment from a bad comedy movie. Who knew the latest trend in activism was to combine social justice with weaponry?
Meanwhile, as Antifa activists threw paintballs and yelled creatively misspelled slogans, the lack of National Guard troops only fueled the chaos. It’s as if someone looked at the scene and said, “Nah, let’s let them have their fun!” Maybe they were waiting for a reality TV production crew to arrive. After all, who wouldn’t want to film a group of protesters armed with a machete while yelling about ‘making the world a better place’? Honestly, the only thing more outlandish might be a group of clowns trying to take over a circus tent.
Of course, while this was all happening, the commentary coming from the activists was just as wild as the stunts. Some observers decried the police response, pointing out that the wielder of the weapon—identifying as a transgender individual—should be handled with “kid gloves” rather than treated like a potential threat. It raises an important question: when did common sense take a backseat to political correctness? This isn’t just about being sensitive; it’s about protecting everyone involved, including the police officers who are just trying to do their jobs.
In Oregon, however, it appears that political discussions have taken a ride on the express train to the ludicrous. As the protests carried on, the visuals included everything from spray-painted slogans to a camp of activists seemingly dedicated to promoting their cause while snacking on some refreshments. Sure, who doesn’t love a myriad of issues wrapped up with a side of snacks? Maybe next, they’ll offer complimentary nachos while discussing immigration policy.
At the end of the day, it’s a perplexing scene unfolding in Portland. The locals might want to consider putting the machetes down and picking up a good book instead. Perhaps they’d learn that effective protest is often more about dialogue and diplomacy than it is about throwing paint or brandishing weapons. So, here’s hoping that next time, the gathering doesn’t look like a scene out of a “Survivor” episode or, heaven forbid, “Portlandia.” After all, wouldn’t it be nice to see folks join together for a good cause without the need for dramatic props? Now that’s an idea worth protesting for!
