Portland police arrest 3 at protest outside ICE facility

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police arrested three people during a protest outside the Portland ICE facility Thursday night, authorities said.

The Portland Police Bureau said via its PPB Events Messages X account that police had been monitoring the protest prior to making three arrests just before 11:30 p.m.. The PPB Rapid Response Team is on the scene, police said.

PPB said they also observed “several fights and other criminal behavior” happening in the street. The three arrests were “for crimes related to fighting,” police said.

Around 11 p.m., federal agents deployed pepper balls at protesters during the demonstration outside the Portland ICE facility as the city anticipates the arrival of National Guard troops in the coming days.

There was tension in the air as people got into heated arguments in the street in front of the Portland ICE facility, as there was a presence of both protesters and counter-protesters.

The gathering of dozens of people seen outside the South Macadam Avenue facility had been calmer earlier in the evening, despite people shouting, with some even playing music or just having conversations.

Portland has gained national attention in recent days, with President Trump calling it “war ravaged,” which was also his reasoning for preparing to send 200 National Guard troops to the Rose City.

Earlier Thursday night, around 5 p.m., there were about five people peacefully standing on the sidewalk outside the Portland ICE facility.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told KOIN 6 News in a statement that on Tuesday, over 100 rioters “stormed” the ICE facility on South Macadam Avenue, claiming six arrests were made.

Portland police told KOIN 6 they didn’t declare a riot on Tuesday. However, it has been costing the Portland Police Bureau overtime to monitor the protests.

From September 28 to October 1, the Portland Police Bureau incurred $100,076.75 in overtime costs related to protest response following federal troop deployment to the Portland ICE facility, according to PPB Specialized Resources Division Commander Franz Shoeing. The statement was made in a court document, a declaration by Shoeing in support of the State of Oregon’s motion for a temporary restraining order against the Trump Administration.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, even as protests continued outside the federal facility in South Portland, a farmers market was held a few blocks away at Elizabeth Caruthers Park.

Market goers said they think Portland is a beautiful place, despite the sometimes negative national headlines.

Phoenix Mercado and Luci Love told KOIN 6 News they haven’t heard about a riot in Portland since 2020, but have heard of peaceful protests taking place.

“I think it’s trying to create a problem or make a problem when there isn’t one,” added Reese Berman, who lives in South Portland.

The FBI’s Portland Office said one person was arrested in the last 24 hours for destruction of federal property and that 128 arrests have been made since early June.