Protesters try to get tear gas out of their eyes and escape the area after federal agents deployed the chemical munition on a crowd of more than a thousand demonstrators, many of whom were with local unions and included elderly people and children, in the blocks surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Jan. 31, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Over the weekend thousands gathered to peacefully protest in Portland to speak out against increased immigration enforcement across the country. But demonstrations did not stay peaceful as federal agents near the ICE facility deployed tear gas that traveled several blocks, affecting many who gathered, including families, children and elderly people.
Soon after these events, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson released a statement, asking for those who are working for ICE to resign and said that the city will “swiftly” work to enforce an ordinance that passed earlier this month, which would fine the detention center for using chemical munitions. Alex Zielinski is OPB’s Portland city government reporter and joins us with more details.
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