![“For a moment I felt trapped. Because of the lack of warning the crowd was dense and difficult to navigate[…] everything felt chaotic as the tear gas and pepper balls filled my lungs.” Greg S., Portland](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBd7AT-XYAAnP3j.jpg?name=orig)
ALT “For a moment I felt trapped. Because of the lack of warning the crowd was dense and difficult to navigate[…] everything felt chaotic as the tear gas and pepper balls filled my lungs.” Greg S., Portland
ALT “For about an hour, union leaders and others gave speeches at the park. The speakers focused on a few different themes, including that the gathering was a peaceful protest. At least one speaker told the people gathered that by staying at the event, the people were committing to remaining peaceful and refraining from violence. A speaker called out these commitments to the crowd, and the crowd was directed to respond (and did respond) with, “I will.”” Adina R., Oregon City
![“As we walked on the sidewalk on Macadam, we saw a woman walking toward us with an arm crutch. She seemed to be struggling with all the tear gas in the air, and from what I could tell, had nothing to do with the protest activity […] I saw people completely unrelated to the protest who were out walking their dogs and going about their business, gagging and coughing as they tried to get away from the overwhelming cloud of tear gas.” Justin S., Happy Valley](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBd7AUoWAAEtRXq.jpg?name=orig)
ALT “As we walked on the sidewalk on Macadam, we saw a woman walking toward us with an arm crutch. She seemed to be struggling with all the tear gas in the air, and from what I could tell, had nothing to do with the protest activity […] I saw people completely unrelated to the protest who were out walking their dogs and going about their business, gagging and coughing as they tried to get away from the overwhelming cloud of tear gas.” Justin S., Happy Valley
ALT BREAKING NEWS: AG Rayfield announces court filing challenging excessive use of force by federal agents at Portland ICE facility
ALT Today, AG Rayfield submitted arguments and evidence in support of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and journalists that challenges violations of the First Amendment and the use of excessive force by federal agents outside the Portland ICE building. The evidence shows that federal agents tear gassed peaceful protesters repeatedly during the weekend of January 31.
ALT We are urging the court to issue a preliminary injunction against federal agents’ unlawful use of tear gas, pepper balls, and other crowd-control munitions. The district court will hold a three-day hearing on plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, beginning on March 2.
