PORTLAND, OR – Federal agents were dispersed to defend the ICE headquarters in Portland from a violent mob moving into attack the federal building. Last night, at about 9:08 p.m., a crowd of about 150 people walked from Elizabeth Caruthers Park to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in the 4300 block of S. Macadam Avenue. People in the crowd carried shields, umbrellas, ASP and PR-24 batons and picked up rocks on their way. Many people wore gas masks and helmets. Within a few minutes of arriving people began applying graffiti to the ICE building.
Federal agents deployed to disperse the crowd that was intent on causing damage and destruction to property and perhaps life, if given the chance to enter the building. The violent uprising was dispersed with tear gas as the crowed as they chanted, “Fuck Joe Biden”.
There are about 150 protesters in Portland marching right now toward an ICE facility, chanting "Fuck Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/mn9Qoi63C1
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) January 21, 2021
On January 20, 2021, at about 5:17 p.m., Portland Police responded to a single vehicle rollover crash near Northeast 6th Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street. A planned event was underway at nearby Irving Park. People from the gathering in the park descended on the crash, climbed on the vehicle, and appeared to begin trying to get people out of it.
As officers arrived, in response to community calls for their service, people from the crowd shouted at them delaying their efforts to assist whomever was in the vehicle. Responding officers had to call for assistance just to make the scene safe. Assisting officers arrived and created space enough for the first officers to assist with the crash. The circumstances of the crash are under investigation. There did not appear to be any injuries.
A group of about 75 people marched from Irving Park beginning at about 6:10 p.m. They blocked streets as they walked; chanting, dancing and banging drums. Their walk meandered through inner northeast Portland and ended back at Irving Park at around 7:30 p.m.
At about 8:00 p.m., people began gathering at Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 South Moody Avenue.
Portland Police gave public address announcements over a loud speaker including, “This is the Portland Police Bureau. Roadways in the South Waterfront remain open to vehicular traffic. No permit has been issued for area roadways. Pedestrians and demonstrators must obey all traffic laws and remain on sidewalks. Failure to comply with this order may subject you to arrest and/or the use of crowd control agents or impact weapons.”
At about 9:08 p.m., a crowd of about 150 people walked from Elizabeth Caruthers Park to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in the 4300 block of S. Macadam Avenue. People in the crowd carried shields, umbrellas, ASP and PR-24 batons and picked up rocks on their way. Many people wore gas masks and helmets. Within a few minutes of arriving people began applying graffiti to the ICE building.
At about 9:45 p.m., federal officers emerged on the ICE property to move the crowd away. Federal officers dispersed to the north then took up a position about half a block away. Contact the federal authorities for details about their actions.
Portland Police circulated through the neighborhood during the next hour to find specific people in the crowd for whom there was probable cause to arrest and made arrests as they identified and located suspects. During that time the crowd dissipated a little at time. Eventually there were only a few dozen people milling about as officers finished making their last arrest.
Portland Police did not deploy any munitions or CS gas.