Hundreds of protesters opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) marched through downtown Portland on Sunday, temporarily shutting down roads as they walked from City Hall to a detention facility in the South Waterfront.
Footage from the scene showed federal agents firing tear gas and pepper balls at protesters as they stood outside the entrance to the facility, which has been used as an ICE field office since 2011.
"About eight or 10 of them came out with guns, whatever kind of guns they have and flash bombed, just started throwing them at the crowd – just exploding everywhere. It was like a war zone," said a female protester who was only identified as Robin.
"It felt like we were under attack. I definitely got hit. I had to run around the corner and pour a bunch of water on my face," she told Fox 12.
"The use of tear gas against families, children, and peaceful demonstrators yesterday is a horrific abuse of authority that undermines public safety and violates constitutional rights," she wrote in a post on X. "Federal agents must stand down and be held accountable."
According to the City of Portland government website, the ICE facility includes a processing center where federal officers detain and interview individuals to determine their legal status, as well as offices where immigrants meet with ICE officials as part of the citizenship process.
The facility is guarded by officers from the Federal Protective Service, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, rather than Portland Police, though local officers may patrol surrounding streets for public safety.