Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has strongly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after they used tear gas against a large crowd protesting near the Portland ICE facility. His statement asked ICE agents to resign and called for the agency to leave Portland. Wilson claimed their actions had lost them all legitimacy and only brought shame.
Thousands joined in the protest, many of them families with children. As the crowd gathered around the South Waterfront facility, federal agents began deploying tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets when some protesters approached the security gate.
Wilson described the protest as mostly peaceful. He asserted that most participants weren’t breaking any laws or posing a threat. He emphasized that the federal government must be held accountable for its actions. In response, the city is planning to introduce a fee on detention centers that utilize chemical agents.
In a powerful message, Wilson challenged ICE agents: “Go home, look in a mirror, and ask yourselves why you have gassed children.”
Erin Hoover Barnett, a local resident and former reporter, attended the protest. She recalled being just 100 yards away when federal agents started using gas on the crowd. “It was terrifying,” she said, describing the panic among families trying to find safety.
Portland’s Fire Bureau sent paramedics to help those affected at the scene, but local police reported no arrests were made during the protest.
This incident reflects a larger trend of increasing tension between federal agencies and local communities. Feedback on social media showed a mix of outrage and support for the protesters. Historical context is important here; similar confrontations have occurred in past protests, illustrating a recurring struggle over immigration enforcement and community safety in the U.S.
For more insights on local protests and policy discussions, you can visit Portland police’s official updates.
