‘No one really cares what you think either’: The moment Portland mayor slaps a far-left activist

The Portland mayor turned on a left-wing activist who hijacked a council meeting to express her own views, telling her in exasperation: “Nobody really cares what you think.”

Ted Wheeler, a 60-year-old Democrat who took over the famously liberal city in 2017, was chairing a council meeting on March 1 when Keeley Higgins spoke.

“Ted, I think the last time I saw you in this kind of setting was when I gave my testimony demanding that you end the use of poison gases on humans in this city,” Higgins began.

In February 2021, she testified in support of a bill to ban tear gas, describing how she gasped after being gassed at a protest. Portland became an epicenter of unrest following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, with more than 100 nights of protests.

Higgins said he knew the session was not an open forum, but he wanted to talk about the “tent ban,” a policy introduced by Rene Gonzalez, the Portland Public Safety Commissioner, to try to crack down on encampments. of tents for the homeless. that have multiplied throughout the city.

Keeley Higgins is seen addressing the council, during a Police Accountability Commission meeting.

“I’m going to go for it,” he said.

‘To give some context as to why I’m here to address René González’s ban on the…’

Wheeler then cut her off, saying it was off topic and inappropriate.

Ted Wheeler is seen Monday with Ann Cudd, president of Portland State University.

“This is extremely disrespectful to the Police Accountability Commission which has the floor, at this time, to discuss your article,” Wheeler told him.

You’re not talking about that.

So, either you enter the subject or you leave.

Higgins asked when he could address the store, but Wheeler told him that he could not answer his question and that his topic was not on the agenda.

‘Do you see these people standing?’ Higgins asked.

We are all here for it.

Wheeler responded: ‘Well, you’re here at the wrong time.

‘Sorry, this is the Police Accountability Commission.’

Higgins again tried to get Wheeler to allow him to speak.

Can you tell me when is the right time? she asked.

Wheeler replied: ‘I can’t. But I can tell you that it is not now.

Wheeler on March 1 repeatedly told Higgins that it was not the right place for his comments.

He then explained how he could sign up to “give public testimony on any subject” during a council meeting.

Higgins snapped: ‘Lift the ban, he’s killing people. it is inhumane it is evil it is state damage.

‘Can I get Ted Wheeler into the trap?’

A woman was then heard yelling ‘Fuck Ted Wheeler!’

The mayor, unperturbed, told him: ‘Do you know that when you do that, you actually totally undermine the rest of your argument?’

Higgins replied, “I really don’t give a shit what you think, Ted.”

Wheeler said, “Well, as a result of your behavior, nobody cares what you think either.”

He told them that they had to be quiet and respectful, and if they couldn’t do it, to leave.

“And I don’t care if you like me or not,” he said.

‘The point is: you are disrespecting other people who have put a lot of time and energy into police accountability commission and you are being extremely disrespectful of their time and energy.

And I don’t know why you think your opinion is more important than theirs at this particular moment.

‘If you want to say, stay on point, don’t interrupt.

I only ask you to be decent people. Can you do that?

You are not sure? Alright, we’ll find out.