Protesters rally against National Guard deployment, ‘increased aggression’ at Portland ICE facility

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Protesters braved the wet and cold to march, then rally outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland Saturday afternoon.

This is one of several recurring events organized primarily by Portland Contra Las Deportaciones (PDXCD), originally beginning at Elizabeth Caruthers Park.

PDXCD claims the Saturday rally is being held in response to “increased aggression” by federal officers towards protesters at the facility, as well as the looming deployment of the National Guard.

Organizers are also steadfast in their demand to revoke ICE’s permit to operate out of the current facility.

“ICE agents have been emboldened by Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard, and are currently using tear gas and pepper bullets to disperse crowds of peaceful protesters,” PDXCD said in a release. “The only appropriate response from our local government is to rid our communities of these dangerous hooligans by revoking the permit.”

After winning their appeal to federalize the Oregon National Guard in a 2-1 decision, the Trump administration filed a motion to remove the order, claiming its logic is based on the same basis as the temporary restraining order (TRO) that had been appealed.

Though a Friday ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily paused any National Guard troops coming to Portland, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut held a meeting that morning to discuss whether Oregon’s temporary restraining order blocking out-of-state troops should stay in place.

After hearing both sides’ arguments, Judge Immergut said she would have a decision by Monday.

“I think it’s significant because due to community pressure, they keep having to push back the deployment of the National Guard,” Holly Brown of PDXCD told KOIN 6 News. “I truly think it’s because of the people that are coming out here and protesting. Even the courts are feeling the pressure themselves to stand up against the Trump regime and not allow the National Guard to be deployed here.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.