Abolish ICE Protesters Complain About Being Pepper Balled by Federal Enforcement
Portland’s Abolish ICE protesters said federal officials used pepper balls and tear gas on them after trapping people in ICE facilities Monday evening, but the Federal Protective Service (FPS) says that was not the case.
“Two rounds of pepper balls were fired at occupiers. Now they have stopped. It seems like they are not trying to clear the camp but singled out those building a baricade [sic],” tweeted Always Antifascist.
#OccupyICEPDX two rounds of pepper balls were fired at occupiers. Now they have stopped. It seems like they are not trying to clear the camp but singled out those building a baricade.
— Always Antifascist (@RoseCityAntifa) June 26, 2018
Another tweet by Abolish I.C.E PDX stated that the DHS was “randomly firing tear gas.”
DHS randomly fired tear gas at occupiers #OccupyICEPDX https://t.co/1CcAX151Zq
— Abolish I.C.E PDX (@OccupyICEPDX) June 26, 2018
Robert Sperling with the FPS told The Daily Caller News Foundation that pepper balls were thrown in front of the protesters and not at them.
The balls were thrown after protesters tied the doors so that ICE and FPS members were trapped inside the building.
While the Department of Homeland Security was able to clear the area, people are still unable to exit the ICE facilities.
Before pepper balls were used, protesters videotaped ICE members’ license plates. The group has obstructed the entrance of the Portland facility for more than a week in response to President Trump’s “zero-tolerance” policy towards illegal immigration.
DHS issued several warnings of their unlawful occupation including a flyer handed to Portland Antifa Monday that read, “Individuals who continue to obstruct the entrance of this federal facility will be subject to arrest and prosecution in federal court.”
Antifa is recognized as a domestic terrorist organization according to DHS, often using violent tactics to get their way.
Occupy Portland is one of several Occupy ICE movements around the country.
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