Oregon Leaders Unite Against Federal Force as New Evidence Details Tear Gas Used on Peaceful Portland Protesters
Responding to a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and journalists challenging First Amendment violations and the use of excessive force by federal agents outside the Portland ICE building, the Oregon Attorney General filed an amicus brief with evidence and arguments.
Oregon AG Files Amicus Brief With Evidence And Arguments Over ICE Violations In Portland
Court documents show that federal agents repeatedly deployed tear gas against peaceful demonstrators during the weekend of January 31.
| What the order addresses | What it says in practice |
|---|---|
| Where it applies | Area at or near the Portland ICE building during protests |
| Chemical or projectile munitions | Cannot be used unless the specific target poses an imminent threat of physical harm |
| Aiming restrictions | Bars targeting the head, neck, or torso except where deadly force would be legally justified |
| Scope of the dispute | Claims focus on First Amendment retaliation and excessive force toward protesters and journalists |
According to testimony contained in the amicus brief from the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ), agents fired chemical agents into a densely packed crowd, causing panic and confusion.
Witnesses also described difficulty breathing, impaired vision, and feelings of entrapment as tear gas and pepper balls spread through the area.
ODOJ urged the district court to issue a preliminary injunction against federal agents’ unlawful use of tear gas, pepper balls, and other crowd-control munitions.
AG Rayfield said this is the result of the current Administration’s reckless behavior and noted that:
“Trump and his administration have sent the message to ICE that they are above the law.”
Local professor Adrian Rodriguez, attending as a member of the American Federation of Teachers and the Oregon Education Association, recounted the fear he experienced when the rally turned chaotic. Despite wearing an N95 mask,
Rodriguez said the gas penetrated easily, leaving him with burning lungs and sharp, prickling pain. “It was very scary. I have never felt that sensation before,” he testified.
A three-day hearing on the motion is scheduled to begin March 2. The AG emphasized that federal law enforcement must respect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters and adhere to established limits on force.
Source: Portland.gov news release (Feb 3 2026) and OPB reporting (Feb 17 2026) / Dailytidings.com
Rayfield reiterated Oregon’s commitment to using all legal tools to protect residents, encouraging those affected to report violations through the DOJ’s Federal Overreach Reporting Portal.
Oregon Leaders Call For Accountability and Rule of Law
Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a joint statement in support of the ACLU of Oregon lawsuit and arguments and evidence from AG Rayfield and the City of Portland yesterday.
The leaders cited unlawful use of force against protesters by federal officers, emphasizing that Oregonians have the right to peacefully protest without fear of violence or intimidation from the government. The statement said th
e lawsuit lays out what community members, journalists, and local leaders have been saying for months.
The statement notes that these actions by federal agents undermine constitutional rights, erode public trust, and escalate tensions in communities rather than protect public safety.
The leaders pointed out that no one is above the law, including federal agencies operating in the state. They said Oregon will not tolerate the use of violence to silence peaceful expression.