In Portland’s South Waterfront, Gray’s Landing, a low-income apartment building, finds itself entangled in escalating protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Hanging in the windows of this apartment complex are signs that politely remind the public not to vandalize the property, emphasizing, “Please do not vandalize.”
Home to many vulnerable residents, including the elderly, veterans, and families with children, Gray’s Landing is caught between turbulent protests and federal law enforcement actions.
The ongoing opposition to ICE and its operations, particularly during President Donald Trump’s administration, has deeply impacted the neighborhood.
Recent events have rekindled concerns as protests resumed and intensified.
A notable demonstration took place on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands to the downtown area.
Since June 8, when protesters obstructed the driveway to the ICE facility, tensions have escalated significantly, leading to at least 22 arrests on criminal charges linked to the protests this month.
Residents of Gray’s Landing report being subjected to incessant noise, with honking vehicles, bullhorns, and occasionally violent clashes that produce flashbangs and other disruptive sounds.
Graffiti adorns the building, trash accumulates in the area, and the neighborhood has seen vandalism and interruptions to public transport.
Many residents express concern about a noxious green gas deployed by federal agents to disperse crowds, which drifts into their homes, creating an unsettling living environment.
The ICE facility is situated near Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, a K-8 charter school, adding another layer of concern for families in the vicinity.
Residents have voiced a mix of sympathy for the protesters’ cause and apprehension about the rising disorder they face daily.
Jackie Keogh, an employee of Reach Community Development, which operates Gray’s Landing, acknowledges that residents are feeling fatigued and anxious.
“There is an impending dread based on the history of protest impacting their homes and their overall feeling of safety,” she explained.
To safeguard both staff and residents, the nonprofit has taken precautionary measures, including stockpiling plywood, installing smoke protection filters, and changing security locks to prevent access to certain areas of the building.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her fear: “I’m afraid to come out of the building.
I can’t even turn on my air conditioning because of the tear gas.”
Fortunately for the nearby Cottonwood School, which had its playground cordoned off in the past due to chemical contamination, the summer break has provided a temporary respite.
However, school administrators are concerned about the potential impact of ongoing protests when children return in the fall.
Laura Cartwright, the academic director, plans to collaborate with the school board to assess the situation and reassure families.
The school will likely have to test its grounds for chemical contaminants and potentially replace affected materials, similar to actions taken in previous years.
Cartwright stated, “In general, we want to take a stand for a chemical-weapons-free neighborhood, not using any tear gas or chemical munitions.
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.”
Questions linger regarding the nature of the chemicals being deployed against demonstrators.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the specifics, instead labeling the protesters as “violent rioters” in a social media post.
Local resident Will Fettig, who participates in protests, empathizes with nearby residents, acknowledging their concerns while also drawing attention to the demonstrators’ plight.
He noted that some protesters have collected spent gas canisters to investigate the chemicals used, suspecting they may contain hexachloroethane, a substance potentially harmful to both people and the environment.
Fettig remarked, “I’m concerned about the impact to neighbors, to protesters and the environment.
The cleanup is washing this down storm drains.
It seems like there would be a lot of stakeholders interested in what’s being used.”
Conversely, those living further away from the protests, like Colleen Johnson, who resides about four blocks from the ICE facility, have a different perspective.
Johnson, 65, supports the demonstrators and appreciates Portland’s compassion.
“Every once in a while they decide to do a parade,” she said, referring to the nature of the gatherings.
For the protesters, their participation stems from a perceived necessity to confront what they view as oppressive government actions.
Vincent Hawkins, a local emergency room nurse and frequent protester, understands that their actions contribute to the disturbances faced by nearby residents.
Armed with a megaphone, Hawkins attempts to uplift the spirits of protesters and connect them to the humanity of ICE agents.
“I know it’s disruptive.
I feel for them,” he acknowledged.
However, during one protest, Hawkins suffered an injury after being shot in the eye by a federal agent, resulting in a gash on his eyebrow and ongoing vision issues.
He reflected on the incident, sharing, “I’m sure they recognized me.
But I didn’t expect them to shoot me in the face.”
The ongoing clashes at the ICE facility continue to create a challenging environment for all involved, leaving residents to juggle their safety concerns with the ongoing struggle for social justice in their community.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/06/portland-residents-are-caught-in-crossfire-as-ice-protests-intensify.html
