Federal Troops in Portland: What to Know Right Now
Today—Saturday, September 27—Donald Trump announced he is sending federal troops into Portland. As reported by local news, an influx of federal law enforcement and armored vehicles have been spotted at the Southwest Portland ICE facility and elsewhere in town, though military troops such as the National Guard are not yet here.
Basic Rights Oregon joins state and city leaders in asserting that Portland does not need federal troops in our city. BRO’s office is located in Old Town in the heart of the city, and we know that a military presence in our home city will only cause more danger for all Oregonians.
As the state’s LGBTQ2SIA+ advocacy organization, we know all too well that this federal government overreach will especially harm the most vulnerable among us, including immigrants, BIPOC folks, trans people and our unhoused neighbors. We want an Oregon where people are safe in their neighborhoods, are free to speak their minds, and can live without fear of government retaliation, not one where the military is turned against our own communities.
Here’s what you should know, and what you can do.
Two opportunities to protest tomorrow
Two demonstrations are occurring in Portland tomorrow, Sunday, September 28.
A coalition of progressive organizations including Basic Rights Oregon is hosting a peaceful rally at 3pm at the Battleship Oregon Memorial, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204. This protest is intended to be family-friendly and not have any direct contact with federal law enforcement, and will include a one-mile march.
At 4pm, the group Portland Contra las Deportaciones is planning a protest directly outside the ICE facility at 4310 SW Macadam. This rally is also for peaceful protestors, but given its location, there is a risk of encountering hostile ICE agents or other federal law enforcement. ICE agents have used tear gas and other dangerous tactics against Portland protestors in recent months. Please only attend this rally if you are comfortable with this risk, and read on for safety and privacy tips.
Know your rights, report what you see, and take care of your community.
The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) has been tracking ICE activity in Portland for months. If you see ICE, other federal officers, or suspicious activity, you can report it to PIRC by calling its hotline anytime at 1-888-622-1510. Avoid spreading unsubstantiated rumors on social media, as these are often untrue and can cause more panic than help. When reporting what you’ve seen, try to capture as many details as possible, including exact location, car license plate numbers, number of officers, and other identifying details.
PIRC’s linktree is home to many other resources, including a Spanish-language What’sApp group, Know Your Rights info for immigrants interacting with ICE, legal assistance, and more. You can share PIRC’s info widely on social media.
You can sign Protect Oregon’s pledge to show that you oppose any military presence in Oregon.
Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo posted this video with advice for protestors on how to make sure you’re centering vulnerable communities and not unnecessarily inflaming the situation.
If you plan to exercise your First Amendment Rights, Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ2SIA+ legal organization, has an updated guide of protesting safety tips for queer and trans folks.
The ACLU of Oregon’s Know Your Rights webpage has information specific to protestors, immigrants, trans folks and more. Protesting in the age of smartphones and facial recognition software presents new risks, especially as our federal government continues to demonstrate little regard for our rights. This Wired article offers helpful advice for protesting in our time of increased surveillance.
Right now, it is more important than ever to stay involved with your community. Talk to your neighbors, join a support group, and make an effort to gather in-person rather than only online if possible. You can also stay engaged with Basic Rights Oregon by becoming a volunteer or signing up for our newsletter.
The people attacking our city and state right now want us to be isolated and divided. But we can prevent that from happening. We are proud to be Portlanders and Oregonians, today and every day.
Love,
Basic Rights Oregon