ACLU Defends AntiFA

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mat dos Santos, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon, responded Thursday to a controversial idea suggested by Portland's police chief, a possible ban on wearing masks during the commission of a crime.

"We have a lot of concerns about any kind of policy that would be looking at something like masks as opposed to behavior," dos Santos explained.

Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw threw out the idea in light of the violence that erupted during protests last weekend in downtown Portland.

"There were entities that planned a brawl in the city of Portland and no one seems to be upset about that," Outlaw told reporters during a news conference Wednesday. "Legislation would really be helpful prohibiting the wearing of masks during the commission of a crime. ... If you knew that you can be easily identified, do you think you would be as inclined to commit that act of violence or commit that crime personally?"