ICE Tear Gas Canister Shatters Window in Occupied Portland Apartment
A recent protest in Portland escalated dramatically when a tear gas canister fired by federal officers shattered a window in a nearby apartment building. This incident took place during a demonstration at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Saturday.
Incident Overview: Tear Gas Canister Shatters Window
On Saturday, January 31, thousands of protesters gathered in front of the ICE facility. The event turned confrontational when some attendees approached the facility’s perimeter. In response, federal officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls, flashbang grenades, and rubber bullets.
One of the tear gas canisters broke a window at the southwest corner of the Gray’s Landing apartment building. This low-income housing complex has 209 units and is managed by Reach Community Development. The third-floor unit that was impacted was occupied during the incident.
Resident Impact and Response
Margaret Salazar, CEO of Reach Community Development, reported that the resident was unharmed but understandably shaken. Fortunately, the double-paned window prevented tear gas from entering the unit. Salazar remarked, “Thank goodness for energy-efficient design.”
Legal Actions and Ongoing Concerns
This incident is part of an ongoing federal lawsuit filed by Reach in December. The organization claims that the use of tear gas and other chemical munitions by federal officers constitutes “shocking and unconstitutional poisoning” of their residents.
Attorneys have requested a preliminary injunction to stop the use of tear gas in the vicinity. A court hearing is scheduled for February 13. Attorney Daniel F. Jacobson highlighted the ongoing dangers, stating, “As this brief is being filed, tear gas is once again inside the homes of Plaintiffs.”
Continued Threats to Residents
Residents have reported the discovery of various munitions, including pepper balls and tear gas canisters, within the apartment complex, culminating in a growing fear for their safety. Jacobson emphasized the need for urgent action, calling the government’s handling of the situation “truly shocking.”
Salazar expressed concerns about the impact of these events on the residents, saying, “This incident crosses a line. I think it’s shaken all of us at Reach.” Reach Community Development is working to gather evidence from the recent incident to substantiate their claims against the federal officers’ violent tactics.
