Federal Agents deploy tear gas and flash bangs at anti-ICE encampment in Portland

     Portland, OR - Tensions boiled over last night when DHS Agents pepper sprayed two unarmed women protesting at the anti-ICE encampment in South Portland. An unmarked van then drove into the facility, allegedly holding two detained asylum seekers. This escalation by DHS sparked outrage which resulted in the barricading of the facility's driveways and doors.

     The demonstration was agitated, but relatively peaceful before this encounter. Many community members showed up to donate, share food and give their support. The day before the altercation, the crowd even parted so passengers could board the nearby trolley. Protestors and riders shared smiles and handshakes, some even expressing their support for the movement as they boarded. One person exclaimed “This is what community looks like”

     However on Tuesday, the Federal police began indiscriminately firing 'pepper balls' directly at unarmed civilians, including myself despite having a vest that clearly marked me as press. I was hit several times in the legs and chest by these weapons.

     Street medics were quick to respond to those affected by these devices. I was given a complete eye-flush by medics, who were able to help me restore my vision after I was hit by a cloud of novamide that exploded from the pepper balls.

     One unarmed man was shot by pepper balls over a dozen times by an agent, seen in the video below. Before being hit, the man was heard asking the officer “Do you have a community that loves you?"

---

The agents would then further violence by deploying tear-gas and flash-bangs at the campsite in order to cause the crowd to disperse, which instead stayed together and marched around the block. After the barricade was clear the federal agents went back inside the facility, and the demonstrators returned to the encampment to clean up.

The Portland Police Bureau would then briefly appear to fill the streets with officers in riot gear. One officer claimed they were only there to "ensure no further breaking of laws" and left within 30 minutes. Whispers amongst the protestors indicated they were worried the PPB was attempting to kettle, a tactic where officers surround and entrap a protest in order to make mass arrests. However no arrests were observed by UVN.

This action aligns with the ones that have been seen in Los Angeles over the past week, joining the many nationwide demonstrations enraged at the unlawful mass detention of migrants. These demonstrations are expected to only grow, leading up to June 14th which is both Flag Day and Donald Trump's birthday. Trump has a military parade planned for the 14th which critics denounce as not only wasteful but a clear sign of increasing authoritarianism under the Trump regime.

The encampment is on its 5th day, and spirits with the crowd are still strong, despite a 72-hour illegal encampment notice posted earlier yesterday. Many campers have expressed intent to keep the site ongoing until ICE removes itself from Portland and the city's sanctuary status is respected.