Federal officers wearing tactical gear dismantled a makeshift tent camp in Portland on Thursday which was blocking the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters during a second week of protests over President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration enforcement policy.
Protest coordinator Lillith Sinclair told local news station KGW8 that Homeland Security officers “have been playing mind games” for several days – placing cardboard cutouts of officers in the ICE building to make it appear as though their presence was larger, blaring Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” to keep protesters awake, while one officer walked around the encampment with an eagle mask on his head.
“At approximately 5:30 a.m. today, federal law enforcement officers initiated a law enforcement action to reopen the federal facility at 4310 SW Macadam Avenue in Portland,” Federal Protective Service spokesman Robert Sperling said in a statement.At least nine protesters affiliated with the group “Abolish I.C.E PDX” were arrested, however authorities took no action against those who set up tents along the side of the building outside of ICE property. “We don’t want to impede their freedom of speech,” said Sperling.
The ice building enforcement is underway, this is as we walked up they were arresting someone connected to this vehicle trying to enter Macadam. @KGWNews@KGWSunrisepic.twitter.com/sKcgdwGly3
Police in tactical gear move in as agents dismantle protesters’ makeshift blockade of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon –
Following the arrests, ICE protesters told KGW reporter Tim Gordon that “more protesters are on the way.”
This van Pulled up at the south entrance to the camp. They’ve unloaded a pallet and other items. Protester told me earlier they aren’t going anywhere, and more will come, to ICE building in Portland. @KGWNewspic.twitter.com/T8WEL3LRY8
At least nine protesters affiliated with the group “Abolish I.C.E PDX” were arrested, however authorities took no action against those who set up tents along the side of the building outside of ICE property. “We don’t want to impede their freedom of speech,” said Sperling.
VIDEO: Minutes ago, DHS police escort people out from inside of the ICE HQ in Portland. #OccupyICEPDX #OccupyICE pic.twitter.com/QMdWG74L9z