Portland's Mayor Demands ICE Exit After Tear Gas Incident at Peaceful Protest
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP News) - In a bold statement, Portland's mayor has called for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave the city following a disturbing incident. Federal agents reportedly used tear gas on a peaceful protest, including young children, outside an ICE facility over the weekend. The mayor and others described the protest as peaceful, emphasizing that the vast majority of participants did not break any laws or pose a threat to the agents.
Witness accounts describe a terrifying scene as agents deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets. Erin Hoover Barnett, a former OregonLive reporter, recounted the moment when two individuals appeared to have rocket launchers, dousing the crowd with gas. The situation escalated as parents frantically cared for their children in strollers, and others navigated motorized carts in a desperate retreat for safety.
In response, the mayor, Keith Wilson, issued a strong statement, demanding the resignation of those working for ICE and the facility's controllers. He accused them of using violence and violating the Constitution, stating that they have lost legitimacy and should be ashamed. The Portland Fire Bureau sent paramedics to treat those affected, and police officers monitored the crowd without making any arrests.
This incident is part of a growing trend of protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies across the country. Similar demonstrations have occurred in cities like Minneapolis, where federal agents have been involved in tragic incidents, resulting in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. In Eugene, Oregon, federal agents also used tear gas on protesters attempting to enter a Federal Building.
President Trump's response was to emphasize the responsibility of local law enforcement and to instruct the Department of Homeland Security to protect federal facilities. He warned against any form of violence towards federal officers and vehicles, threatening severe consequences for those who violate these rules.
In reaction to the incident, the mayor of Portland announced plans to impose a fee on detention facilities that use chemical agents. He vowed to hold the federal government accountable and called for those responsible for the decision to gas children to reflect on their actions and consider their positions.
