US District Judge Blocks Immigrant Enforcement Agents' Excessive Use of Tear Gas and Projectiles in Portland Protest
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the use of chemical and projectile munitions by immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, after reports of excessive force used against peaceful protesters last weekend. The ruling comes amid concerns that the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is being met with increasingly violent responses from law enforcement.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists covering demonstrations at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland, where clashes have been ongoing since last year. The suit argues that federal officers' use of chemical munitions and excessive force is a form of retaliation against protesters, chilling their First Amendment rights.
According to court documents, immigration agents fired tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets into a crowd of thousands of protesters, including children, at the ICE building on Saturday. Local officials described the protest as peaceful before the agents used excessive force.
The order prohibits federal officers from using chemical or projectile munitions unless the person targeted poses an imminent threat of physical harm. It also limits their ability to fire munitions at the head, neck, or torso "unless the officer is legally justified in using deadly force against that person."
Critics argue that such measures are necessary to prevent further abuses by immigration enforcement agents who have used excessive force against peaceful protesters nationwide. In recent weeks, federal agents have killed two residents in Minneapolis, and reports of similar incidents have surfaced in other cities.
Portland's mayor has also condemned the use of chemical munitions, stating that ICE should leave the city immediately. Local officials have repeatedly expressed concern about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which they argue is being met with increasingly violent responses from law enforcement.
The temporary restraining order will be in effect for 14 days, and its impact on future protests remains to be seen. However, it marks a significant victory for civil liberties groups fighting against what they see as a form of retaliation against peaceful protesters by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agents.
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the use of chemical and projectile munitions by immigration enforcement agents in Portland, Oregon, after reports of excessive force used against peaceful protesters last weekend. The ruling comes amid concerns that the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is being met with increasingly violent responses from law enforcement.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists covering demonstrations at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland, where clashes have been ongoing since last year. The suit argues that federal officers' use of chemical munitions and excessive force is a form of retaliation against protesters, chilling their First Amendment rights.
According to court documents, immigration agents fired tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets into a crowd of thousands of protesters, including children, at the ICE building on Saturday. Local officials described the protest as peaceful before the agents used excessive force.
The order prohibits federal officers from using chemical or projectile munitions unless the person targeted poses an imminent threat of physical harm. It also limits their ability to fire munitions at the head, neck, or torso "unless the officer is legally justified in using deadly force against that person."
Critics argue that such measures are necessary to prevent further abuses by immigration enforcement agents who have used excessive force against peaceful protesters nationwide. In recent weeks, federal agents have killed two residents in Minneapolis, and reports of similar incidents have surfaced in other cities.
Portland's mayor has also condemned the use of chemical munitions, stating that ICE should leave the city immediately. Local officials have repeatedly expressed concern about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which they argue is being met with increasingly violent responses from law enforcement.
The temporary restraining order will be in effect for 14 days, and its impact on future protests remains to be seen. However, it marks a significant victory for civil liberties groups fighting against what they see as a form of retaliation against peaceful protesters by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agents.
Just saw this news about US judge blocking excessive use of tear gas and projectiles in Portland protest 
It's totally understandable that peaceful protesters want to express their opinions and rights 
But at the same time, I feel so bad for the law enforcement officers who are just trying to do their job 
But it's not fair to expect peaceful protesters to be silenced or intimidated 
The ACLU is doing a great job fighting for our rights and freedoms 
And now, this judge has issued a restraining order to stop the excessive use of force 
We need more leaders who care about people's lives rather than just enforcing policies 
This decision is about time. I mean, what even is the point of having cops if they're just gonna tear gas and pepper ball people who aren't doing anything wrong? 
Like, what even is the message here? That peaceful protest = death? No thanks. Just hope this restraining order sticks around for a while and some real change happens. 
! According to Google Trends, searches for "tear gas protests" have been on the rise since 2020 
. I checked the CDC website and they report a 30% increase in respiratory issues among protesters who've used tear gas 
. The ACLU's lawsuit has gotten over 10k signatures for support 
. Meanwhile, Twitter reports show a 25% decrease in tweets using #alt-right hashtags since January 
. Protests in the US have seen a 15% rise in participation since 2020 
I think this is totally outta control 
People are literally being gassed and pepper-balled for exercising their right to protest. And now, with the temporary restraining order limiting their use of excessive force, it's like they're saying "oops" 
The fact that local officials are calling for ICE to leave the city immediately speaks volumes about how much they value their residents' rights.
Oh great, because what's more peaceful than having your eyes and lungs blasted by tear gas while protesting... I mean, what's the rush, right? It's not like these protests are getting more intense or anything 
Anyway, 14 days is nothing, and I'm sure the next 13 will be just peachy... until someone gets hurt or arrested, that is 
. I mean, using those things on innocent people is just crazy. But at the same time, I'm worried that it's just gonna escalate the whole situation 
I guess only time will tell how this plays out...
I'm all for this 
, but the fact that our system has checks and balances in place to stop it from getting too wild is a breath of fresh air 
, it's just basic human rights at stake 
. But at least now we know they can't just run wild like that anymore 
. And to all the protests and marches happening around the country, I say keep on keeping on 
!
but i guess that's just how it goes sometimes.
... it's hard for me to feel bad for them when they're putting themselves in harm's way like that.
and for anyone who cares about human rights 
.
. The fact that they had to get a court order just proves how draconian their immigration policies have become 
I hope this ruling sets a precedent and makes law enforcement agencies think twice before using such tactics again.
It's just not okay, you know? The Trump administration needs to get its act together and find a better way to deal with protests. This isn't the America I thought we were building! 
. whats next? them gonna use batons & pepper spray on kids too? its like we need 2 take a step back & think about what we r doing here. 
.