The protesting has been sporadic in Portland for more than a month. But usually on Saturday night there is an uptick in the number of protesters, and last night was no exception.
As a bonus, the protesters targeted an ICE facility, which brought the federal agents out to play — including the BORTAC group from ICE.
The crowd arrived at the ICE facility carrying dozens of balloons, with the intention to tie them to the gates.
Protesters have just arrived at the ICE detention facility. They moved to tie balloons on the gate. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WVzOXicsko
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
After just a few moments, federal agents appeared and moved the protesters away from the building using a combination of pepper balls and a significant new spray device.
DHS agents just exited the building. They moved in to disperse protesters with pepper spray as they were placing balloons in the gate. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WGixdvpWsZ
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
DHS agents pushed out of the building with a volley of Pepperball munitions. Some fired less lethal munitions at a close range at protesters trapped against a fence. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/7Iiyg4ulK4
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
Federal agents exited the building again. This time they deployed tear gas & flashbangs, while firing Pepperball munitions. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CzyeFlrkTR
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
At this point the action ended up mostly in the streets near the facility.
Portland protest day 126 pic.twitter.com/d2dS1ROJ9D
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 18, 2020
Federal officers executed several bullrushes, pushing crowds back several blocks from the ICE detention facility. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xVJJ2NG92W
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
Feds run out and make an arrest pic.twitter.com/qZHryx2pju
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) October 18, 2020
During the third dispersal action, federal agents found themselves with protesters on 2 sides after pushing protesters away from the ICE facility. #PortlandProtests #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/9XaSPDfxK2
— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) October 18, 2020
The feds seem to have a new tear gas distributing fogger as well, likely in response to the protesters’ tactics of employing battery powered leaf blowers to dissipate tear gas.
And here's when DHS brought their gas gun/leaf blower/insecticide sprayer out to disperse protesters. Wait for it, it's worth it. pic.twitter.com/1UcWtjDQIq
— Brian Conley (@BaghdadBrian) October 18, 2020
Reportedly a good time was had by all.
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