Federal agents deployed teargas and flash bangs at demonstrators on 31 January outside the South Waterfront ICE building in Portland, Oregon, in an incident that has sparked outrage from local officials. Witnesses described the protest as peaceful until agents escalated the situation with chemical agents and projectiles, prompting the city's mayor to call for the immigration enforcement agency to leave Portland entirely.
Peaceful Protest Met with Forceful Response
According to accounts from participants and observers, thousands of marchers gathered at the ICE facility on Saturday in a demonstration against the Trump administration's immigration policies. The protest remained non-violent until federal agents began using teargas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets against the crowd, which included families with young children in strollers. Erin Hoover Barnett, a former reporter who was present, recounted the terrifying scene as agents resembling "guys with rocket launchers" doused the area with gas, causing panic and confusion among retreating protesters.
Mayor's Strong Condemnation and Demands
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a forceful statement on Saturday night, characterising the demonstration as lawful and peaceful, with the vast majority of attendees posing no threat. He directly addressed ICE personnel, stating, "To those who continue to work for ICE: resign. To those who control this facility: leave." Wilson accused the agency of losing legitimacy through its use of violence and constitutional violations, emphasising that the federal government would be held accountable for gassing children.
The mayor announced that Portland would impose fees on detention facilities employing chemical agents, underscoring the city's commitment to preventing such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the Portland fire bureau dispatched paramedics to treat affected individuals, although police reported no arrests were made during the event.
National Context and Political Reactions
This protest in Portland is part of a broader wave of demonstrations across the United States opposing aggressive immigration enforcement. Similar incidents have occurred in cities like Minneapolis, where federal agents recently killed two residents, and Eugene, Oregon, where teargas was used against protesters attempting to enter a federal building just a day prior.
In response to the unrest, former President Donald Trump posted on social media, asserting that local law enforcement should manage protests but instructing federal agents to protect government property forcefully. He warned of severe consequences for any violence against officers or property, reflecting the ongoing tension between federal and local authorities over protest policing.
Community Impact and Ongoing Tensions
The use of teargas in a protest involving children has heightened concerns about civil liberties and appropriate law enforcement responses. Witnesses described frantic efforts by parents to protect their youngsters, with some individuals in motorised carts struggling to escape the chaotic scene. This incident underscores the deepening divide between federal immigration policies and local governance in Portland, a city with a history of activist movements.
As investigations and debates continue, the mayor's demand for ICE to leave Portland highlights the growing calls for accountability and reform in immigration enforcement practices, particularly regarding the treatment of peaceful demonstrators.
