Federal judge in Oregon restricts tear gas use by federal officers near Portland ICE facility
The Facts
- U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio issued a preliminary injunction limiting federal officers’ use of tear gas during protests outside a federal immigration (ICE) building in Portland, Oregon.
- The injunction stems from a lawsuit brought by residents and/or managers of the nearby affordable housing complex Gray’s Landing, who alleged repeated exposure to chemical munitions used outside the ICE facility.
- The court order restricts federal agents from deploying chemical munitions in a way that is likely to reach or seep into the Gray’s Landing apartments, with an exception described as an imminent threat to life in some coverage.
- Residents testified or reported experiencing physical and psychological symptoms they attributed to chemical exposure, including breathing difficulties, coughing, burning eyes, hives, anxiety and panic attacks; some said they wore gas masks inside their homes.
- In her written ruling, Baggio said the case was not about protesters’ rights but about allegations that chemical munitions affected nearby residents.
- Baggio found federal officers acted with “deliberate indifference” in connection with the use of chemical munitions, according to reporting on the opinion.
Context
What exactly does the judge’s order restrict?
The preliminary injunction limits federal agents’ use of tear gas and other chemical munitions outside Portland’s ICE facility by barring deployments that are likely to reach or enter the nearby Gray’s Landing apartments; some coverage describes an exception when there is an imminent threat to life. Oregon Live KOIN 6 Portland Court House News Se… Bulletin
Who brought the lawsuit and why?
The case was brought by residents of the Gray’s Landing affordable housing complex and/or REACH, the nonprofit that manages the property, alleging that federal agents’ repeated use of tear gas and other chemical munitions during protests exposed tenants and put their health and safety at risk. KPTV.com opb Bulletin
Are there other related cases about crowd-control tactics at the Portland ICE facility?
Yes. OPB reported this case is one of two parallel federal lawsuits—before different judges—seeking limits on tear gas, pepper balls and other chemicals used outside Portland’s ICE facility, with another judge expected to rule in a separate case. opb
The receipts — all 17 sources
Wire services (7)
Independent coverage (10)
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