BATTLE GROUND—The City of Battle Ground on Monday, June 1, formally recognized President Donald J Trump’s executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, becoming one of the first municipalities to do so in a proclamation.
Mayor Eric Overholser signed the proclamation at the city council’s business meeting on June 1. The proclamation references President Trump’s September 22, 2025, executive order titled, Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization, identifying Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization over its alleged coordinated unlawful and anti-American activities.
The proclamation states that violence, intimidation, vandalism, arson and obstruction of lawful assemblies — regardless of political ideology — undermine public safety and the constitutional rights of Americans.
“The protection of life, liberty, property, and the rule of law is the highest obligation of government,” the proclamation reads.
It further reaffirms strong support for law enforcement, declares that peaceful protest remains protected while declaring that criminal activity will face full prosecution, and calls on residents to reject political violence and report crime.
“Violence and intimidation carried out under any political ideology are incompatible with the principles of a free and orderly society,” it further reads.
During the public reading of the proclamation at the council meeting, a female protester against the proclamation shouted expletives, disrupting proceedings. Police removed her from the chamber and placed her under arrest–with an eruption of applause from a full council chamber. The council then proceeded with its agenda without further incident.
Battle Ground is a city of approximately 20,000 residents in Clark County, just minutes from Portland, Oregon.
Author: Mario Lotmore
