Today Daryl Turner released a statement on behalf of the Portland Police Association in response to the impacts of the nightly protests in our city. Thread 1/ 
While I appreciate the Portland Police Association’s concern for the community, I hope they are also just as passionately working to respond to the community’s demands for accountability, de-escalation, reform, and change. 2/
The public has been calling for specific, tangible actions and are waiting on both their elected leaders and the association to take responsibility for systemic change. 3/
There is an opportunity here, not just for elected leaders, but also for Mr. Turner and his organization to show real courage and leadership by accepting our roles in the community’s distrust and fear of police. 4/
In order to move forward and build new systems that Portlanders can trust we must acknowledge that any discussions around violence that does not focus on police violence is a detraction from the heart of these nationwide protests. 5/
My fear has been, and continues to be, the tactics and violence executed by police. I also remain concerned for the people that have been harmed in the process of police protecting only property, including journalists. 6/
Community members exercising their 1st Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly are not the enemy. I do not want anyone to be harmed during these protests, whether it be our community members or PPB officers. 7/
While I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to non-violent direct action, I have significant concerns with any police tactics that do not respect these rights of our community members. 8/
We can all learn and grow in this moment – this includes me and it certainly includes our police and the leadership of the Portland Police Association who, even in the face of difficult nightly demonstrations, have the opportunity to act with greater restraint. 9/
Portlanders are demanding better from police and I hope to show them that we are listening. /End thread
