Two U.S. senators have introduced a resolution calling for antifa activists to be designated as domestic terrorists, singling out violent protests in Portland and a local branch of the anti-fascist movement in particular.
The resolution, sponsored by Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, comes on the heels of a recent clash between competing demonstrators in downtown Portland that made national headlines.
The resolution cited an attack on conservative writer Andy Ngo during the June 29 rallies that brought supporters of an area #HimToo group, Proud Boys and antifa-affiliated protesters to the city’s core as well as a 2018 camp-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Southwest Portland.
A video of the attack on Ngo shows people dressed in black, some with their faces covered, punching Ngo, kicking and spraying him and throwing things at him. Police arrested three people at the protests that day on various allegations, including assault and harassment, though none specifically for the Ngo confrontation.
