Portland residents beg Antifa not to destroy property during anti-ICE riots

The latest wave of unrest began on June 8, when activists blocked the driveway of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Since then, clashes have continued across the city, and 22 people have been arrested this month in connection with anti-ICE demonstrations on various criminal allegations.

Gray’s Landing, a low-income apartment complex housing elderly residents, veterans, and families, is located near the ICE building and has taken steps to shield itself from being caught in the conflict. Signs reading “Please do not vandalize,” “We are a nonprofit. We are not associated with the ICE building,” and “We believe everyone deserves a place to call home” have been posted on ground-floor windows, according to Oregon Live. Residents have endured noise from bullhorns, honking cars, and flash-bang grenades, along with graffiti, vandalism, transit delays, and chemical irritants used by federal agents to disperse crowds.

The ICE building at the center of the protests sits between South Macadam Avenue and a K-8 charter school, Cottonwood School of Civics and Science. Nearby is also the Oregon Ballet Theater headquarters and its rehearsal space.

Last Saturday, protests intensified during the “No Kings” Day event, which authorities declared a riot. The escalation raised concerns among residents that additional National Guard or federal forces could be deployed to the area. Many residents expressed sympathy for the demonstrators’ cause but admitted to feeling uneasy about the ongoing turmoil in their neighborhood.

Jackie Keogh, who works for the nonprofit that runs Gray’s Landing, said the residents are growing increasingly anxious.

“The impending dread is based on the history of protest impacting their homes and their overall feeling of safety,” Keogh said. “Our goal is to make sure both staff and residents feel safe in our building.”

The nonprofit has had to stockpile plywood in case windows are broken, install smoke protection systems, and update security codes. One 62-year-old resident said she is “afraid to come out of the building,” adding, “I can’t even turn on my air conditioning because of the tear gas.”

While students are currently off-campus for summer break, administrators at the nearby Cottonwood charter school remain concerned about safety when classes resume. The school previously had to rope off its playground in 2021 due to chemical contamination from similar protests.

“In general, we want to take a stand for a chemical-weapons-free neighborhood, not using any tear gas or chemical munitions,” said Laura Cartwright, Cottonwood’s academic director. “We support our communities and their right to use their voices. We just want to make sure the school is safe for our children and staff.”