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 caused a nuisance, the city of Portland cleared the small protest camp on Friday afternoon.
Protesters Camp Near Portland ICE Facility Removed
Elvengrail claimed in the lawsuit that the city failed to enforce its noise ordinance, particularly in relation to the camp and the individuals who made loud noises all night.
Videos submitted show emergency vehicles and officials outside the ICE facility, sirens blaring. A high-pitched screeching noise that sounds like it’s coming from a speaker can be heard for a long time.
Elvengrain, who is disabled and does not drive, rents a low-income unit across the street from the ICE facility where the protesters were camped.
In her lawsuit, she claims that she was forced to walk past combative protesters to get to the bus stop, that fumes from tear gas sprayed on protesters by the Portland Police Bureau and/or federal agents seeped into her apartment, making her sick, and that the commotion triggered her PTSD.
In a widely shared video on social media, Elvengrail confronts protesters about the noise, yelling expletives and insults, to which the protesters respond with insults and expletives.
Elevengrail is also concerned about her safety, having allegedly received threats from campers.
As the City of Portland cleared the camp, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) members were ready 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 on the South Waterfront and respond as resources allow.
