‘This is what community looks like!’ Dozens of Antifa protesters chant as they set fire to ICE building in Portland before federal officers sweep in with pepper balls
- Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland on Saturday night
- Images posted on social media showed flames engulfing a barrier at the building
- Dozens of federal officers in riot gear arrived at about 2am to confront the crowd
- The officers were seen firing pepper balls at protesters in the street
Protesters reportedly set fire to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland on Saturday night before cops swept in to disperse the crowds.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed flames engulfing a barrier protecting the ICE building in Portland’s South Waterfront district, which has been a frequent target of demonstrations over the past year.
The protesters also appeared to create a makeshift bonfire in front of the building by setting fire to a pile of wooden pallets.
Dozens of protesters were pictured at the demonstration before federal officers clad in riot gear arrived to break it up.
Protesters reportedly set fire to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland on Saturday night before cops swept in to disperse the crowds
Images posted on social media showed flames engulfing a wooden barrier protecting the ICE building in Portland’s South Waterfront district, near a small bonfire
Photojournalist Chris Landis chronicled the demonstration on Twitter and said tensions were running high between protesters and police.
As they have with many previous protests, the officers reportedly resorted to firing pepper balls into the crowd to force people to disperse.
It’s unclear whether any arrests were made.
Journalist Grace Morgan also shared updates from the scene on Twitter.
At about 9pm local time Morgan said ‘close to 100’ people had already arrived for the planned protest and more were still trickling in.
Minutes later Morgan tweeted a photo of a small burning pile of trash on the ground, writing: ‘First ANTIFA fire of the night has already kicked off, so far people are just warming their hands on this cold night.’
Later protesters were seen crowded around the fire chanting: ‘This is what community looks like!’
Morgan also posted a photo of fences and barricades that had been dismantled by the protesters and placed in front of entrances to the building.
Dozens of federal officers in riot gear arrived at about 2am to confront the crowd
The officers were seen firing pepper balls at protesters in the street
Just before 2am Morgan tweeted that police had arrived and were warning the crowds not to trespass.
One video showed armed officers standing by the building as smoke poured out of a flaming barrier.
Other videos showed officers firing what appeared to be pepper balls at the protesters, who tried to shield themselves with umbrellas.
The protesters appeared to have left the scene by 2.30am, leaving officers to survey damage to the building.
A wooden barrier outside the ICE building is seen on fire on Saturday night in Portland
Advertisement
