Portland Fractures a Little More as Mayor Cancels March for Hope, Citing Counter-Protest

Two weeks after Donald Trump was elected president and thousands filled the streets of Portland, the city shows little sign of settling down and coming together. Mayor Charlie Hales, who has not always been given high marks for inclusiveness, canceled a planned "March for Hope" on Tuesday.

Hales said he was "disheartened" but felt he had no choice after hearing of plans for a counter-protest.

"In the weeks following the election, I heard from many community leaders that the city needed to come together in unity and share a message of hope," Hales said. "The goal of this march was to show solidarity with our vulnerable communities and demonstrate that as Portlanders we are all stronger together.

"I am disappointed that the March of Hope cannot move forward as planned."

Hales was referring to a planned counter-protest organized by Gregory McKelvey and his group, Portland's Resistance, which has organized many of the marches since Election Day.

"While we support the first amendment right of those attending as well as many of the organizations currently involved in this event, we DO NOT support Charlie Hales’ hypocrisy, brutality and his neglect of the police policy issues our group advocates for," the group said on Facebook.

"Join us in holding signs denouncing the hypocrisy of Charlie Hales' march and stand in solidarity with the peaceful protesters that have experienced police brutality in the past week, those incarcerated and those most impacted by inaction by our local government."

Portland Resistance said it is not canceling its event.

"Our organization strongly believes that we do not need Mayor Hales' presence or blessing for the community to come together, and call for healing and hope," the group said. "That is why our event has not been canceled and encourage folks to join us in this peaceful assembly."

McKelvey and two of his co-organizers were arrested Monday night during their march in an act the group said "publicly humiliated" the three.

Portland Police had a different version of events.

"During the march, police officers observed McKelvey and Rhodes actively encouraging and directing student protesters to counter lawful police orders which were being broadcast over a loudspeaker by police," said Portland Police Spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. "At Southwest 5th Avenue and Salmon Street, officers arrested McKelvey then arrested Stevens after she attempted to interfere with McKelvey's arrest.

Rhodes was arrested later at Southwest 2nd Avenue and Madison Street."

Photo of Hales - City of Portland, Photos of McKelvey, Stevens, Rhodes courtesy Multnomah County Sheriff's Office