Law Enforcement Uses Rubber Bullets Amid Antifa Clashes Near Portland ICE Detention Facility
Law enforcement officers in Portland, Oregon, reportedly used rubber bullets and tear gas against Antifa protesters outside an ICE detention center, following an attempt to commit an arson attack on the facility. The clashes, captured on video by independent journalist Katie Daviscourt, highlight ongoing tensions around the detention center, which has been a hotspot for protests for weeks.
According to footage shared by Daviscourt, who was present at the scene, police deployed tear gas grenades, along with what appeared to be paintball and rubber bullets against the crowd. The protesters were seen wearing gas masks and bicycle helmets, engaging with officers in what was described as a chaotic and heavily militarized encounter. Daviscourt documented the incident on social media, describing the scene as a ‘war zone’ as federal police dispersed the group.
The incident followed reports of an attempted arson attack on the detention center, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement. Authorities are investigating the incident, with the US Attorney’s Office announcing that four individuals have been charged in connection with the ongoing protests. One of the defendants has been specifically charged with arson, according to recent legal filings.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has issued a clear statement on the situation, emphasizing that the Justice Department is closely monitoring the unrest at the ICE detention facility in Portland. In a statement posted on X, Blanche said, ‘We are closely monitoring the attacks on DHS detention facilities in Prairieland, TX, and Portland, OR. The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible.’
Meanwhile, the signing of President Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’—which allocates $100 billion for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency—has further fueled protests across the country, including in the Pacific Northwest. The legislation has been met with widespread criticism and has drawn attention to the increasing number of detention center incidents alongside broader concerns over immigration policy and national security.
Protesters in Portland have been vocal about their opposition to immigration policies and the treatment of detainees, with many accusing the government of human rights violations. The recent clashes mark another escalation in the ongoing protests, which have drawn both support and condemnation from various political and civic groups, reflecting the deepening polarization over immigration and law enforcement practices in the United States.