Hundreds of people opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took to the streets of Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, temporarily blocking traffic as they marched from City Hall to a federal immigration detention facility. The demonstration reflected growing local frustration over federal immigration enforcement and recent controversial incidents involving ICE agents.
Protesters carried signs calling for ICE to leave Portland and demanding accountability for the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. Demonstrators gathered at City Hall before heading toward the ICE facility in the South Waterfront neighborhood.
As the crowd reached the facility, footage from the scene showed federal agents deploying crowd-control measures, including pepper balls, tear gas, and flashbang devices. Some marchers were struck by the munitions, with witnesses describing chaotic scenes as people tried to avoid the blasts.
One protester, who identified herself as Robin, said agents seemed to target the crowd without warning. She recounted being hit and having to find relief from the effects of the chemical agents.
Oregon’s governor criticized the federal response, calling the use of tear gas against families, children, and peaceful demonstrators an abuse of authority. She argued that such tactics undermine public safety and constitutional rights and called for federal agents to stand down and be held accountable.
Portland’s ICE facility, which includes operations for processing and interviewing individuals on immigration matters, remains a flashpoint for activists who want to see the agency’s presence curtailed in the city.
