Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) tweeted on Tuesday that state residents needed to keep this year's Thanksgiving holiday gatherings "small" and encouraged people to "uninvite" their family members. The messaging, which is in response to the rise in COVID-19 cases, is in stark contrast to the mass Black Lives Matter protests and riots that occurred this past summer.
"This is hard, but making difficult sacrifices now will save lives," Brown tweeted.
This is hard, but making difficult sacrifices now will save lives.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) November 24, 2020
This Thanksgiving, keep it small. Uninvite them. pic.twitter.com/4OLOv6s6A0
Brown tweeted approvingly in late July of the ongoing mass gatherings outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in downtown Portland, which saw rioters continually attacking the federal property on a nightly basis.
There, instead of telling people to remain at home and avoid gathering in large groups, Brown had harsher words for the federal officers who were sent to reinforce the courthouse.
"The President’s plan to 'dominate' the streets of American cities has failed. And today, federal troops are preparing to leave downtown Portland. We will protect free speech and the right to protest peacefully...The massive and non-violent protests led by Black Lives Matter activists have inspired the nation," she tweeted.
The massive and non-violent protests led by Black Lives Matter activists have inspired the nation. Let’s get to work and make this vision a reality.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 30, 2020
The next day, Brown continued to praise people gathering in large groups and voiced no concerns in the same tweet about how the protests were in violation of recommended COVID-19 guidelines.
Last night, the world was watching Portland. Here's what they saw: Federal troops left downtown. Local officials protected free speech. And Oregonians spoke out for Black Lives Matter, racial justice, and police accountability through peaceful, non-violent protest. https://t.co/sfDTDeeQAv
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 31, 2020
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