On June 14, 2025, federal agencies used CS gas, stun grenades, and non-lethal bullets against a group gathered outside the Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. This incident ensued after demonstrators built a barrier and shattered a glass door using a street sign. Described as a riot by the local law enforcement, this clash was subsequent to the ‘No Kings’ city-wide rally which attracted a mass gathering earlier.
The ‘No Kings’ protest, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, brought together a large number of people expressing their discontent against federal overreach. These peaceful expressions were widely recognized, including by the Mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson.
In reaction to the day’s demonstrations, Mayor Wilson asserted that despite upholding the law and order, the Portland police would not serve as ICE agents. He clarified that Portland did not seek, nor did it need, any National Guard’s intervention. He further committed to combating any inappropriate federal interference legally.
Integral to Wilson’s assurance was the stance that Portland had not only withheld from seeking the National Guard’s assistance but would also actively resist such an intervention due to its contentious nature. The significant mass of protestors who peacefully made their concerns known was lauded by the Mayor.
The later gathering at the ICE facility, deemed a riot by the Portland Police, saw the police maintaining surveillance, stepping in upon witnessing probable instances of crime to carry out precise arrests. The crowd, consisting of several hundreds, thronged the South Waterfront ICE facility that evening, leading to escalating tensions.
Reported incidents included protesters throwing water bottles and fireworks at the federal officers, who responded by employing smoke canisters, tear gas, flashbangs, and other forms of crowd control projectiles. Mayor Wilson maintained that the law enforcement was able to navigate these incidents without excessive force or outside intervention.
Following the weekend’s protests, three arrests were declared by the Portland Police Bureau on Sunday morning, with two individuals facing charges related to an officer’s assault. The statement by the Mayor sought to pre-empt any talk of potential National Guard intervention, which had been recently deployed by President Trump in response to immigration protests in California.
The statement fervently opposed the possibility of deploying military forces into American cities, describing it as a groundless, unprecedented, and unconstitutional measure. Wilson affirmed that any witnessed federal abuse, regardless of guise, would be thoroughly exposed, legally challenged, and fought against in federal court, expressing confidence about prevailing.
Commenting on the issue, a representative for Governor Tina Kotek, in a text message on Sunday, revealed that there had been no received threats of any federal intervention involving the Oregon National Guard in response to the protests on Saturday.
Governor Kotek had earlier spoken out against Trump’s deployment in California, describing the move as showing deep disdain for American safety and self-governance. She stood firmly against employing the Oregon National Guard at the weekend protests, dismissing any presidential authority to overturn her decision.
Last week, Kotek asserted that the president’s unauthorized actions hinder local authorities who should handle their tasks without any federal intervention further exacerbating the situation. She had no intentions of mobilizing the Oregon National Guard over the weekend.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted about Portland twice on social media during the same weekend. On Saturday night, the department shared a picture of what was identified by a social media civilian as leaflets pinned to a telegraph pole in Portland, uncovering the identities and residences of local ICE agents.
The targeted threats towards law enforcement in Portland by unruly rioters were severely criticized by Homeland Security officials, who urged local leaders to intervene and stop such actions. In another statement issued on Sunday morning, the agency charged demonstrators with injuring four officers, using fireworks, smoke grenades, and rocks.
The Department of Homeland Security blatantly stated that anyone found injuring a law enforcement officer would face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Queries regarding officers’ injuries were unaddressed on Sunday, as the department could not be reached. Mayor Wilson’s statement included information about three federal officers getting injured on the day of the protests, but none required medical intervention.
The post Federal Agencies Employ Non-lethal Force Against Portland Protestors appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
