Portland mayor Ted Wheeler has been mocked for hosting a 'welcome back' festival after the city was ravaged by protests and violence for more than a year.
'Welcome Back to the Heart of Portland!' includes free concerts, pop-up markets and light displays in the Oregon city which has been besieged by BLM demonstrations.
Wheeler tweeted: 'You're invited to Portland's reopening with Welcome Back to the Heart of Portland! From Friday-Sunday, Portland's central city will host free live concerts, roller skating, painting, and other fun, family friendly activities.'
Portland mayor Ted Wheeler has been mocked for hosting a 'welcome back' festival after the city was ravaged by protests and violence for more than a year
'Welcome Back to the Heart of Portland!' includes free concerts, pop-up markets and light displays in the Oregon city which has been besieged by BLM demonstrations
But many residents criticized him in the comments, saying Portland's downtown is not ready to host a family-friendly event.
One local jokingly replied: 'Who is providing armed security?'
Another wrote: 'Sad to hear that our mayor fell out of love with Portland right when we needed him.'
Monique Claiborne, president and CEO of Greater Portland Inc., said: 'Really we're one step closer to imagining a future city that's inclusive and prosperous.'
But Portland residents appeared to disagree, with some slamming the event in light of the violence that has rocked the city for months.
Many residents criticized him in the comments, saying Portland's downtown is not ready to host a family-friendly event
Police chase demonstrators after a riot was declared during a protest against the killing of Daunte Wright on April 12. The Mayor of Portland says he is determined to reclaim the city from the 'anarchistic mob' that has inflicted 'criminal
