Cuomo links GOP, Trump to violence
NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday questioned why state Republicans invited the founder of a farright group to speak in Manhattan, and he blamed them and President Donald Trump for violent clashes that took place after the speech.
In a conference call with reporters, the Democratic governor called the invitation to Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes to speak at the Metropolitan Republican Club a “political tactic because what they’re trying to do is fire up their base” ahead of the midterm elections next month.
“Why would the Republican Party at their main club invite the Proud Boys?” Cuomo asked, pointing out that the Proud Boys have been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The Proud Boys is made up of males who describe themselves as “western chauvinists.”
The state Republican Party called Cuomo’s comments “outrageous.”
The Republican Club had been vandalized ahead of the speech, with officials saying the damage included smashed windows, a spray-painted door and a keypad lock covered in glue. A note left at the scene claimed that the damage was “just the beginning.”
In an emailed statement, spokesman Jessica Proud said, “It’s unconscionable that when Republicans were attacked and threatened, Governor Cuomo said absolutely nothing. Violence of any kind has no place in society, yet the governor — who is charged with ensuring everyone’s personal safety and property is protected — only thinks those rights should be afforded to Democrats. It’s not surprising coming from the man who said conservatives have no place in the state, but it’s nonetheless outrageous.”
Cuomo said he had directed the state police to assist the New York Police Department in an investigation of the violence that took place Friday night between the Proud Boys and those protesting the speech. Three people have been arrested, but elected officials were angry over videos posted online of the violence, saying they showed Proud Boys members were involved and should face consequences.
Cuomo said he had also requested that the FBI assist.
The Police Department on Sunday said the situation was still being investigated, and no additional arrests had been made.
On the other side of the country, authorities in Oregon opened an investigation into another fracas between a right-wing group and leftwing counterprotesters.
Media outlets reported Sunday that Portland police were investigating assaults that stemmed from a street brawl that broke out this weekend between demonstrators.
There were no immediate arrests after the clash Saturday, according to the reports. But Portland police said they were investigating and seeking help from witnesses, as well as reviewing video and photos.
Four people received medical attention, but authorities did not know if anyone was taken to local hospitals, KGWTV reported.
Officers saw people at the demonstration with hard-knuckled gloves, guns, knives and batons, police said.
The right-wing Patriot Prayer group was holding a “Flash March for Law and Order” when the counterdemonstrators, some of whom identified themselves as members of the militant anti-fascist Antifa movement, confronted them and scuffles broke out.
Police in riot gear used foam and polystyrene bullets to break up the brawl, KGWTV and the Portland Tribune reported.