Democrat councilor backs gun rights after city meeting meltdown, protest threat

By In the news
In: Uncategorized
Friday February 20, 2026


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Roughly 55 anti-ICE protestors stormed a Portland City Council meeting this week.  For the first time, protestors scaled the tables and began to scream in the faces of city councilors against ICE.

Police reported that they dispatched every single available officer in the entire city to come to councilor’s rescue.  Four were arrested.

OPB reports that Councilor Loretta Smith is seeking to change gun laws to allow City Councilors to carry firearms for public safety.

OPB reports, “After protesters interrupted a Portland council meeting Wednesday, one councilor is looking to loosen the city’s rules around carrying guns in City Hall. Councilor Loretta Smith, who represents East Portland in District 1, has drafted a city ordinance to allow city councilors to openly carry a firearm while conducting city business. Smith has never carried a firearm.“It’s a defensive mechanism,” Smith told OPB. “If people know that you’re a serious person and you’re going to protect yourself they’re not going to be as quick to mess with you.”

Additionally it was noted,“These are not peaceful protesters,” she said in an interview with OPB. “They are getting more aggressive and it’s not OK. They yelled at me, ‘Do your job, Councilor Smith.’ We can’t do our job because of them interrupting our meetings.”Anglada Bartley rejects that characterization. She told OPB that she was intentionally using non-violent action to show her opposition to city councilors. “I didn’t have a weapon, I didn’t hit anyone,” she said. “Why am I now being threatened with violence?”

Journalist Andy Ngo had this video:

 

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