The sound of a protest outside her window wakes Brennah Hammar in the middle of the night. Tear-gas creeps into her apartment complex, Gray's Landing, located across from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland's South Waterfront neighborhood.
For months, the area has become the site of nightly clashes between federal agents and protesters, who are dressed in black and oppose immigration arrests. It's like a war zone, says Ms. Hammar, 57, as she describes her street. Several other residents spoke about the unrest, which has brought national attention. There are times I've had to have a gas mask on inside my own home, she says, demonstrating her current habit of sleeping with the mask on.
President Donald Trump has threatened to send in the National Guard to protect ICE officers and federal buildings, citing the alarming state of violence in Portland. His comments, however, have been challenged by a federal judge who temporarily halted his plans, stating the president may have overstepped his authority.
Within the community, feelings are mixed. Some residents accuse Antifa and the federal response of escalating tensions, while others argue that the city’s failure to maintain peace contributes to the chaos. Witnesses recount violent confrontations, gunshots, and threats as daily occurrences.
As the unrest continues, local life feels altered, with schools relocating due to safety concerns. Yet outside the tumultuous zone, residents maintain their normal routines, illustrating the city's diverse perspectives on the ongoing crisis. Residents like Hammar express fear of being left without protection, calling for federal assistance, even as they grapple with the consequences of such measures. I don't want to feel like I'm collateral damage, she affirms, echoing the sentiment of many in a city redefining its battle lines.
For months, the area has become the site of nightly clashes between federal agents and protesters, who are dressed in black and oppose immigration arrests. It's like a war zone, says Ms. Hammar, 57, as she describes her street. Several other residents spoke about the unrest, which has brought national attention. There are times I've had to have a gas mask on inside my own home, she says, demonstrating her current habit of sleeping with the mask on.
President Donald Trump has threatened to send in the National Guard to protect ICE officers and federal buildings, citing the alarming state of violence in Portland. His comments, however, have been challenged by a federal judge who temporarily halted his plans, stating the president may have overstepped his authority.
Within the community, feelings are mixed. Some residents accuse Antifa and the federal response of escalating tensions, while others argue that the city’s failure to maintain peace contributes to the chaos. Witnesses recount violent confrontations, gunshots, and threats as daily occurrences.
As the unrest continues, local life feels altered, with schools relocating due to safety concerns. Yet outside the tumultuous zone, residents maintain their normal routines, illustrating the city's diverse perspectives on the ongoing crisis. Residents like Hammar express fear of being left without protection, calling for federal assistance, even as they grapple with the consequences of such measures. I don't want to feel like I'm collateral damage, she affirms, echoing the sentiment of many in a city redefining its battle lines.
