Portland Woman’s Lawsuit Over Protest Noise Prompts ICE Camp Shutdown

PORTLAND, Ore. — After a Portland woman, Cloud Elvengrail, filed a lawsuit under the city’s noise ordinances claiming that the protesters camping outside the ICE facility had created a nuisance, the city of Portland cleared the small protest camp on Friday afternoon.

Protesters Camp Near Portland ICE Facility Removed

In the lawsuit, Elvengrail alleged that the city failed to enforce its noise ordinance, specifically regarding the camp and the individuals who broadcast loud noises all night.

Videos submitted show emergency vehicles and officials outside the ICE facility with sirens blaring. A high-pitched screeching noise that sounds like it is coming from a speaker can be heard for an extended period.

Elvengrain, who is disabled and does not drive, rents a low-income unit across the street from the ICE facility where the protesters camped.

In her lawsuit, she says that she has been forced to walk past combative protesters to get to the bus stop, endured fumes from tear gas sprayed on protesters by the Portland Police Bureau and/or federal agents, which seeped into her apartment, making her ill, and the commotion has triggered her PTSD.

A widely shared video on social media also shows Elvengrail confronting protesters over the noise, yelling expletives and insults, to which the protesters respond with insults and expletives. Elevengrail is also concerned about her safety after allegedly receiving threats from people at the camp.

As the City of Portland cleared the camp, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) members stood by to respond if necessary.

PPB strives to strike a balance between public safety, community well-being, and constitutional rights and will continue to monitor nightly demonstrations in the South Waterfront and address these as resources allow.