Shocking photos from Portland, where federal law enforcement agents are using military force to break up demonstrations against the city's wishes

Natalie ColarossiJul 21, 2020, 04:56 IST

Federal agents use crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters near the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Portland, Ore.AP Photo/Noah Berger

Armed federal agents, some from the Department of Homeland Security, have been patrolling the streets of Portland, Oregon, using military tactics and putting protesters into unmarked vans.
Demonstrators have reported being arrested by federal agents without warrant or explanation, as well as being tear-gassed and hit with impact munitions.
In response, the city's leadership has demanded the immediate removal of federal officers, and officials have filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of using unlawful practices.
Protests against police brutality and racism have been taking place in Portland for more than 50 days, and President Donald Trump, who supports federal intervention, has called the demonstrators "anarchists and agitators."

Armed federal agents have been patrolling the streets in Portland, Oregon, using militarized force and throwing protesters into unmarked vans.

The federal officers were deployed at the recommendation of President Donald Trump, who directed agencies to organize personnel in cities to protect monuments, statues, and federal property during demonstrations.

The officers have been seen throwing protesters into unmarked vehicles, issuing arrests without warrants, shooting protesters at close range with impact munition, and tear-gassing large crowds.

The deployment includes a team of officers from Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service, and the Coast Guard, The New York Times reported.

But state and local officials didn't request the officers.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has called the deployment a "blatant abuse of power," and the attorney general is suing the Department of Homeland Security, accusing the administration of unlawful policing tactics. A criminal investigation has also been opened after a protester was injured in a bloody scene that was captured on video.

These photos show what's unfolding in Portland.

Federal agents, some reporting to the Department of Homeland Security, others to Customs and Border Protection or other federal agencies, have been patrolling the streets of Portland, Oregon.

Federal agents use crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Portland, Ore. AP Photo/Noah Berger

Federal agents, some reporting to the Department of Homeland Security, others to Customs and Border Protection or other federal agencies, have been patrolling the streets of Portland, Oregon.

The officers were sent in at the recommendation of President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order allowing federal agents to be deployed to cities to protect monuments, statues, and federal property during demonstrations.

Federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, face off with protesters against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 18, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

The officers were sent in at the recommendation of President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order allowing federal agents to be deployed to cities to protect monuments, statues, and federal property during demonstrations.

But federal agents have been seen using militarized force and targeting demonstrators outside of this decree.

Federal agents use crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters near the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Portland, Ore. AP Photo/Noah Berger

The federal officers have used tear gars, smoke bombs, less-than-lethal munition, stun grenades, and excessive force to break up demonstrations.

Federal agents use crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Portland, Ore. AP Photo/Noah Berger

Officers have been roaming the streets in unmarked vans, seizing protesters without warrant or giving them information. A candidate for a US House seat shared the video below, which he said shows federal agents unlawfully detaining someone in an unmarked vehicle.

Federal officers prepare to disperse the crowd of protestors outside the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Mason Trinca/Getty Images

Officers have been roaming the streets in unmarked vans, seizing protesters without warrant or giving them information. A candidate for a US House seat shared the video below, which he said shows federal agents unlawfully detaining someone in an unmarked vehicle.

"It felt like I was being hunted for no reason," one protester who was chased by an unmarked van told The New York Times. "It feels like fascism."

A protester walks away from chemical irritants as federal agents use crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Portland, Ore. AP Photo/Noah Berger

The agencies have been given the authority to make arrests if they believe that a federal crime was committed, but local officials maintain that many arrests have been unwarranted and unprompted.

Oregon's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and Marshals Service to stop federal agents from arresting people, stating that the officers have grabbed people "without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action."

A federal law enforcement officer, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings spreads tear gas during a protest over racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 17, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Oregon's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and Marshals Service to stop federal agents from arresting people, stating that the officers have grabbed people "without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action."

"The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary," Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement.

Federal agents disperse Black Lives Matter protesters near the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Portland, Ore. Officers used teargas and projectiles to move the crowd after some protesters tore down a fence fronting the courthouse. AP Photo/Noah Berger

"The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary," Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement.

Additionally, prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation after a protester was shot in the head by a less-than-lethal weapon. Another video showed a Navy veteran, Christopher David, being beaten and tear-gassed after asking the officers to remember their oath to protect the Constitution.

Chris David being pepper sprayed by officers in Portland. The Portland Tribune/Reuters

Additionally, prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation after a protester was shot in the head by a less-than-lethal weapon. Another video showed a Navy veteran, Christopher David, being beaten and tear-gassed after asking the officers to remember their oath to protect the Constitution.

It's often difficult to tell which agency the federal officers are with because their uniforms don't always say.

Navy veteran Chris David flips officers off after they pepper-sprayed him in Portland. The Portland Tribune/Reuters

Gov. Kate Brown has called the deployment a "blatant abuse of power," and Mayor Ted Wheeler declared the use of force an "attack on our democracy."

Federal officers use tear gas and other crowd dispersal munitions on protesters outside the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Mason Trinca/Getty Images

On July 17, Democratic lawmakers throughout the state sent a letter to DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and US Attorney General William Barr, demanding the removal of federal agents.

Federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, walk toward demonstrators during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 18, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

On July 17, Democratic lawmakers throughout the state sent a letter to DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and US Attorney General William Barr, demanding the removal of federal agents.

But Trump defended their actions by saying they were there to take "control of the anarchists and agitators."

A smoke grenade burns in front of federal law enforcement officers, deployed under the Trump administration's new executive order to protect federal monuments and buildings, during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 17, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Portland has held demonstrations against police brutality and racism every day since George Floyd was killed on May 25.

A demonstrator called Don speaks to a crowd during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 17, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Demonstrators have used a variety of peaceful tactics to combat injustice, with a small minority of protesters engaging in violent or destructive behavior.

People protest during a demonstration in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center in Portland, Oregon, on July 17, 2020. ANKUR DHOLAKIA/AFP via Getty Images

But the Trump administration has consistently used rhetoric to denote all demonstrators as "anarchists" and "violent." On July 16, DHS acting secretary Chad Wolf claimed the federal deployment was in response to the city being "under siege" by "a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city."

But the Trump administration has consistently used rhetoric to denote all demonstrators as "anarchists" and "violent." On July 16, DHS acting secretary Chad Wolf claimed the federal deployment was in response to the city being "under siege" by "a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city."

On July 17, hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the city's downtown Justice Center, and a few protesters dismantled a chain-link fence that blocked access to closed city parks across the street.

Protestors raise their hands up in solidarity after Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty speaks to the crowd Portlanders' rights to free speech and assembly at Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Mason Trinca/Getty Images

On July 17, hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the city's downtown Justice Center, and a few protesters dismantled a chain-link fence that blocked access to closed city parks across the street.

In response, federal agents used impact munitions, stun grenades, and tear gas to clear the area.

Federal officers use tear gas and other crowd dispersal munitions on protesters outside the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Mason Trinca/Getty Images

But local journalists reported that they did not observe any incident from protesters that may have prompted the use of such weapons.

Orion Crabb holds his head back as a medic works to remove tear gas from his eyes during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S. July 17, 2020. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Clashes between police and protesters continued throughout the weekend, and local law enforcement joined forced with federal agents to break up demonstrations.

Black Lives Matter protesters gather outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Portland, Ore. Officers used teargas and projectiles to move the crowd after some protesters tore down a fence fronting the courthouse. AP Photo/Noah Berger

To help protect protesters from being arrested or hurt, a group of local women formed a non-threatening "wall of moms" in front of demonstrators on Saturday and Sunday.

Caitlin Ochs/Reuters

But federal agents continued to deploy tear gas and other tactics to break up demonstrations. In response, larger crowds of protesters have gathered, and some have come prepared with shields and protective equipment.

protesters stand in preparation for conflict against federal law enforcers at the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Mason Trinca/Getty Images

But federal agents continued to deploy tear gas and other tactics to break up demonstrations. In response, larger crowds of protesters have gathered, and some have come prepared with shields and protective equipment.

One protester who's attended roughly 40 demonstrations told The New York Times: "We're not leaving."

A Black Lives Matter protester carries a shield while facing off against federal officers at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Portland, Ore. AP Photo/Noah Berger

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Shocking photos from Portland, where federal law enforcement agents are using military force to break up demonstrations against the city's wishes

Federal agents, some reporting to the Department of Homeland Security, others to Customs and Border Protection or other federal agencies, have been patrolling the streets of Portland, Oregon.

The officers were sent in at the recommendation of President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order allowing federal agents to be deployed to cities to protect monuments, statues, and federal property during demonstrations.

But federal agents have been seen using militarized force and targeting demonstrators outside of this decree.

The federal officers have used tear gars, smoke bombs, less-than-lethal munition, stun grenades, and excessive force to break up demonstrations.

Officers have been roaming the streets in unmarked vans, seizing protesters without warrant or giving them information. A candidate for a US House seat shared the video below, which he said shows federal agents unlawfully detaining someone in an unmarked vehicle.

"It felt like I was being hunted for no reason," one protester who was chased by an unmarked van told The New York Times. "It feels like fascism."

The agencies have been given the authority to make arrests if they believe that a federal crime was committed, but local officials maintain that many arrests have been unwarranted and unprompted.

"The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary," Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement.

Additionally, prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation after a protester was shot in the head by a less-than-lethal weapon. Another video showed a Navy veteran, Christopher David, being beaten and tear-gassed after asking the officers to remember their oath to protect the Constitution.

It's often difficult to tell which agency the federal officers are with because their uniforms don't always say.

Gov. Kate Brown has called the deployment a "blatant abuse of power," and Mayor Ted Wheeler declared the use of force an "attack on our democracy."

On July 17, Democratic lawmakers throughout the state sent a letter to DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and US Attorney General William Barr, demanding the removal of federal agents.

But Trump defended their actions by saying they were there to take "control of the anarchists and agitators."

Portland has held demonstrations against police brutality and racism every day since George Floyd was killed on May 25.

Demonstrators have used a variety of peaceful tactics to combat injustice, with a small minority of protesters engaging in violent or destructive behavior.

On July 17, hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the city's downtown Justice Center, and a few protesters dismantled a chain-link fence that blocked access to closed city parks across the street.

In response, federal agents used impact munitions, stun grenades, and tear gas to clear the area.

But local journalists reported that they did not observe any incident from protesters that may have prompted the use of such weapons.

Clashes between police and protesters continued throughout the weekend, and local law enforcement joined forced with federal agents to break up demonstrations.

To help protect protesters from being arrested or hurt, a group of local women formed a non-threatening "wall of moms" in front of demonstrators on Saturday and Sunday.

But federal agents continued to deploy tear gas and other tactics to break up demonstrations. In response, larger crowds of protesters have gathered, and some have come prepared with shields and protective equipment.

One protester who's attended roughly 40 demonstrations told The New York Times: "We're not leaving."