Protests against racism and police brutality have been ongoing for 52 days in Portland, Oregon, but federal police recently occupied the city to “regulate” protests.
In June, President Trump signed an executive order deploying federal troops to “protect monuments” in cities like Portland and Seattle. The Department of Homeland Security sent federal law enforcement officers to Portland to control the protests for Black lives happening in the city. Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf stated that Portland has been under siege by a “violent mob” for 47 days, and has denounced the “lawless anarchists” desecrating property in Portland.
How are the federal police inflicting violence on protestors?
These federal forces have used tear gas, nonlethal bullets, and unmarked vehicles to “control” protests.
Donovan LaBella, 26, was critically injured and hospitalized after being hit in the head by a projectile shot by a federal officer. According to Labella’s mother, her son suffered facial and skull fractures and had to undergo surgery.
Several videos on Twitter have circulated showing federal agents driving around the city in unmarked vans and pulling protesters off of the street.
In a statement to the Washington Post, Mark Pettibone, a 29-year-old protester stated that while walking home from a peaceful protest, men in “green military fatigues” and “general police” uniforms jumped out of an unmarked van and began to pursue him. It was unknown to him if these men were “police” or “far-right extremists” as the vehicle was unmarked. He was driven to a federal courthouse and placed in custody, and it was not until later that night that he was read his Miranda rights. Without being told why he was arrested, and without being provided a record of his arrest or being told who detained him, Mark was released. He described being “terrified”, and how being put under arrest by these unmarked forces was like a “K. Dick novel”.
The Washington Post article also shared the experience of a different protester, who reported that two men in “apparent military garb” took him into custody. In response, Federal U.S Customs and Border Patrol stated that CBP had information that the person taken was “suspected of assaults against federal agents or destruction of federal property”. CBP stated that they “moved the suspect to a safer location for further questioning”, and disputed that they were in unidentifiable clothing or vehicles.
How are State and Local Governments Reacting?
The mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler, described these forces as “Trump’s personal army,” and sent a message to Washington to “take troops out of Portland”. The Governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, shared a similar sentiment, stating that “having federal troops here [in Portland] is like pouring gasoline on a fire”. The Attorney General of Portland, Ellen Rosenblum also stated that she “shares the concern of state and local leaders” in Portland, and the office of the Attorney General has filed lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security due to the “unlawful law enforcement”.
Oregon politicians Sen. Jeff Merkley and Sen. Ron Wyden, as well as Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, called the actions of the federal officers “politically motivated authoritarian tactics” and are calling for the removal of these federal forces from their state.
State and local forces are not alone in taking action against the federal government. In a statement, the director of the ACLU of Oregon, Jann Carson, stated that “protesters in Portland have been shot in the head, swept away in unmarked cars, and repeatedly gassed by uninvited and unwelcome federal agents”. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S Marshall Service in response to the actions of the federal agents.
How can you help?
Sharing Instagram infographics (like these three) is an easy way to draw attention to what is happening in Portland and provides a comprehensive and simple guide so others can understand what is happening. Spreading the word about this issue, retweeting videos of protesters, and sharing donation and aid information are essential to making sure that people around the country are aware of the violence inflicted by federal law enforcement.
You can also donate to the Portland Defense Fund to assist protesters arrested with bail funds, and this post provides resources with more places to donate to help with medical and food funds.
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