Portland Mayor Calls for ICE to Leave City After Agents Use Teargas on Protesters

The city of Portland, Oregon is reeling after a protest outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility turned violent on Saturday, with federal agents deploying teargas and rubber bullets on a crowd of demonstrators, including young children. The incident has sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability, with the mayor of Portland demanding that ICE leave the city.

According to witnesses, the protest was peaceful until agents launched teargas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets at the crowd. Erin Hoover Barnett, a former OregonLive reporter who joined the protest, described the scene as chaotic, saying that she was about 100 yards from the building when "what looked like two guys with rocket launchers" started dousing the crowd with gas.

The protest was part of a larger movement against ICE and its policies, which have been widely criticized as inhumane and unjust. The agency has been at the center of controversy in recent years, particularly with regards to its treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was quick to condemn the actions of the federal agents, calling for ICE to leave the city. "I am calling on the federal government to remove its agents from our city," Wheeler said in a statement. "We will not tolerate this kind of behavior in our community."

Wheeler's comments were echoed by other local leaders, who expressed outrage and disappointment at the actions of the federal agents. "This is not the kind of behavior we expect from our law enforcement agencies," said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that this kind of incident does not happen again."

The use of teargas and rubber bullets on the crowd has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for accountability and an investigation into the incident. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has condemned the actions of the federal agents, saying that they "clearly violated the rights of peaceful protesters."

The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of protesters and the use of force by law enforcement agencies. "This incident is a clear example of the kind of violence and intimidation that protesters face when exercising their right to free speech," said David Rogers, executive director of the ACLU of Oregon.

The Portland Police Bureau has launched an investigation into the incident, and the city's police chief has promised to review the use of force by federal agents. The FBI has also announced an investigation into the incident.

As the investigation into the incident continues, the city of Portland remains on edge. The protest on Saturday was just one of many that have taken place in the city in recent weeks, with demonstrators calling for an end to ICE's policies and practices.

The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the role of ICE in the United States and the need for immigration reform. Many have called for the agency to be abolished, citing its history of human rights abuses and its role in separating families.

As the debate continues, the city of Portland remains committed to protecting the rights of its residents and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect. The incident on Saturday was a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead, but it has also galvanized the community and sparked a renewed commitment to fighting for justice and equality.

Sources:

• "Portland mayor demands ICE leave city after federal agents teargas protesters" by The Guardian
• "Portland protests: Mayor calls for ICE to leave city after agents use teargas" by CNN
• "ICE agents use teargas on protesters in Portland, Oregon" by NBC News