A chaotic daytime scene broke out Saturday as crowds of protesters, many in black clothing, clashed with federal officers at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Portland’s South Waterfront.
Police declared the demonstration a riot.
Federal officers clad in tactical gear deployed smoke, tear gas, flash grenades and other projectiles as some in the restive crowd of several hundred demonstrators hurled water bottles and fireworks in return.
An impromptu shield wall was formed around 5 p.m. near the main gates to the ICE facility, prompting volleys of “less-lethal” fire from federal authorities.
Later, several people could be seen using a stop sign as a makeshift battering ram, which shattered a glass door of the ICE building.
Earlier in the day, thousands gathered peacefully for several “No Kings” protest across the city, with tens of thousands of people then converging downtown. Similar groups gathered across the state and country early Saturday, but in Portland small groups of cyclists and marchers broke off and joined the fray at South Bancroft Street near Macadam Avenue.
After the glass door was breached, federal officers emerged and began staking out a perimeter to the ICE office, shooting less-lethal rounds into the crowd. Officers tackled one person and detained them in handcuffs.
The federal police remained outside the building for several hours while others boarded up the glass door.
Portland Police’s Rapid Response Team mobilized not far away but as of mid-evening had done no more than drive by the scene with lights flashing. Troops of bicycle police also cycled through the area at times.
The riot declaration came at 6:38 p.m., though hundreds remained clustered in front of the ICE facility.
This is Portland Police. To those near S Moody and S Bancroft, this has been declared a riot. The area near S Moody and S Bancroft is now closed. All persons must immediately leave the area by traveling to the north. (more)
— PPB Event Messages (@PPBAlerts) June 15, 2025
Small numbers of protesters have been gathering outside Portland’s ICE facility all week after large-scale protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to federal immigration raids, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city.
On Wednesday, Portland police arrested two people accused of arson and another person accused of choking a police officer during a protest in front of the ICE building.
On Thursday night, Portland police arrested 10 more people at a protest there.
On Friday, elected officials and community leaders in Portland urged weekend protesters to remain peaceful.
The Department of Homeland Security appeared to put its focus directly on Portland, at least on social media, after an X user claimed that ICE officials’ full names and addresses were being posted on flyers downtown.
“We will NOT be deterred by rioters’ intimidation and threats. ICE immigration enforcement will only ramp up,” the department responded.
Meanwhile, in Portland, Jordan Wilcox carried a sign that read, “If not dictator, why dictator shaped?” She said she joined the ICE protest with her son after watching livestreams on TikTok of similar demonstrations in LA.
The violent clashing in Portland on Saturday left the 49-year-old Portlander “scared, but not surprised.”
“I believe that any person in this country has rights to due process. I think that those rights are being violated,” she said. “Trump is striping people of those rights.”
At 8 p.m. Portland police said officers had “observed criminal activity including assault and criminal mischief and will be making targeted arrests.”
Around 9 p.m., Portland police said they had arrested one person and were aware of one federal agent who had been injured, though not seriously. Police said the gathering was no longer a riot.
We are receiving inquiries regarding action at the ICE facility. PPB has made 1 arrest for Assault on a Peace Officer. We have been informed of 1 injury to a federal officer who did not require treatment. The situation is stable and there is no riot at this time. (MORE)
— PPB Event Messages (@PPBAlerts) June 15, 2025
—Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, [email protected] or @pdxzane.
—Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323,[email protected]or on X@zaeemshake.
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