The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stern warning regarding a Portland group’s advertisement, encouraging individuals to point lasers at aircraft, amidst heightened tensions linked to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the serious legal ramifications of such actions, stating, “Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime. This is incredibly dangerous for the aircraft personnel and for the public’s safety.”
McLaughlin condemned the group, asserting that “Antifa domestic terrorists WILL NOT overrun our cities. We will bust their networks and bring every one of them to justice.”
Despite this warning, the flyer promoting the activity by Rose City Counter-Info remains prominently displayed on their website. The group identifies itself as an “anarchist counter-info platform in so-called Portland, Oregon.”
In its advertisement, Rose City Counter-Info advised participants to “mask up” and coordinate with friends, while also taking precautions to avoid identification by law enforcement. The flyer included specific instructions on how to dispose of the laser pointers if necessary, suggesting participants wear gloves and clean the devices with alcohol.
Journalist Andy Ngo, known for his extensive reporting on Antifa’s activities in Portland, shared screenshots of the flyer on social media platform X. He highlighted that the Antifa group planned to assemble in various locations around the city to deploy lasers aimed at grounding “spy planes.” Ngo warned that this was also intended to act as a distraction, allowing militants to engage in other “daring actions” across the city.
On September 30, DHS made headlines with the arrest of four Mexican men residing in the U.S. illegally, who were apprehended for pointing a laser at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter. This reckless behavior posed significant danger not only to the pilot and crew but also to the surrounding public.
Federal officials identified the suspects, Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, Benito Zamora-Alvarez, and Hector Miranda Mendoza, as men who attempted to momentarily blind the helicopter pilot with laser strikes. Authorities traced the laser beam back to a Portland residence, leading to their arrest.
DHS disclosed that Albores-Suchiapa had a history of arrests in Oregon related to meth possession and trespassing, along with three immigration violations involving CBP. Lopez-Labra had prior arrests for unlawful entry and more recently for DUI by the Oregon State Police. Zamora-Alvarez revealed he had lived in the U.S. illegally since 1994.
Portland has been a focal point of anti-ICE protests, with some demonstrators resorting to extreme measures, including bringing a guillotine to protests, illustrating the escalating unrest.
In response to this climate, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited an ICE facility in Portland, expressing her support for the officers amid the unrest. She took the opportunity to pray for the safety and resilience of law enforcement personnel faced with chaotic demonstrations.
However, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has publicly claimed there is “no insurrection” occurring in her state, expressing confidence that “local law enforcement will meet the moment.” Kotek, who recently met with Secretary Noem, also called on DHS and ICE to respect Oregon laws in their federal operations.
Governor Kotek is not alone; several other leaders in blue states, such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have voiced their opposition to the aggressive approach taken by the Trump administration, which seeks to deploy federal law enforcement to tackle rising crime nationwide.
image source from：foxnews
