Unions demand Portland leaders protect communities from ICE violence

In a display of solidarity among the labor movement, unions came together on Saturday, January 31, to lead a non-violent march against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Portland and around the country. When marching past Portland’s ICE facility, federal agents fired chemical munitions and tear gas indiscriminately into the crowd that included children, dogs, and elderly marchers. This is a blatant disregard for human safety and rights.

Today, February 5, unions – including Breach’s, Communications Workers of American Local 7901 – and organizations representing over 130,000 workers across Oregon sent a letter to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez demanding immediate action and a commitment to protecting Oregon communities from this escalating crisis. ICE’s practices are fundamentally unjust and demonstrate an alarming lack of accountability. This isn’t just about protecting individual workers, but about safeguarding the integrity of our democratic processes and preserving the lives and rights of Oregon’s residents.

These actions are not isolated events. They represent a disturbing pattern of excessive force against workers and communities, and are symptomatic of a larger, systemic problem with the federal workforce. ICE agents are operating under a culture of impunity. The illegality and lack of transparency surrounding these events demands a thorough and immediate investigation. Our elected officials must prioritize the safety and well-being of Oregon workers.