Damian Lillard Speaks Out on the Portland Anti-Trump Protests

Protests, sometimes involving property destruction or violence, have not stopped in Portland since Donald Trump won the election.

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Complex Original

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Since the shock of the presidential election earlier this week, anti-Trump protests continue to mount in many cities across the nation. Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Oakland, California, and many other places had rallies that were peaceful. But an anti-Trump rally in Portland, Oregon was stopped by local police who declared it a riot due to attacks on motorists along two interstate roads that had to be closed.

Portland Trailblazers All-Star Damian Lillard feels for the people of his city who feel angry at and betrayed by the election results, but worries about vandalism and attacks on bystanders. In an interview with ESPN, Lillard spoke about the political unrest that has persisted since the election results were revealed.

"I think it's very unfortunate that people have done some of the things they have done during the protest. A lot of harm and damage has been done," Lillard told ESPN on Saturday. "I do understand their frustration, and I commend people wanting to come together for some kind of change. Tearing apart your own city just isn't the place to begin, and also making your own city less of a safe place isn't the answer."

The protests have not stopped since early Wednesday morning. Early Saturday, a male protester was shot on the Morrison Bridge by the driver of a passing vehicle, but his injuries were not deemed life-threatening. The shooter is still at large.

"For someone to be shot on the bridge lets you know it has gone too far," Lillard stated. "That could have been a kid out there or any person catching a stray bullet."

Hoping for peaceful measures, Lillard insisted Portland residents should calm down and move forward from the rioting. "Portland has been a great place since I've been here and long before, but this type of activity doesn't even seem to fit the description of Portland." He added, "Especially when the majority of the people here voted for Hillary. So if this is an anti-Trump rally, then you're probably harming the people that you side with in most cases. So again I share the same worry, but I don't think this is the solution."

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