Portland Protesters Smashed Windows of Church That Helps Homeless

Rioters in Portland smashed up a local church that helps the homeless and mentally ill — as well as a feminist and LBTQ-friendly fashion store.

“Saint Andre Bessette Church is one of the many buildings that had their windows broken out during this evening’s riot,” Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office tweeted early Thursday. “This organization helps those who are homeless, experiencing poverty, mental health issues and substance abuse,” the force said.

Photos showed all the windows in a row of doors smashed at the church, while Fox12 Oregon reporter Brenna Kelly filmed the smashed-up church with loud chants of “black lives matter!” still in the background.

Other images showed a row of stores smashed-up downtown — including Wolfgang, a feminist and LBGTQ-friendly that advocates for reproductive rights and immigration, according to Willamette Week, which said it sells shirts reading “wild feminist” as well as androgynous jumpsuits.

Other businesses were hurt while struggling to survive during the huge hit to business from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Portland, Oregon restaurants are just trying to survive right now — we don’t need this at all,” one restauranteur told KOIN6 while surveying the damage to his business. “I don’t know why they did this to us.”

Sources: NY Post; Image: NY Times