A federal judge has temporarily restricted the use of certain crowd control weapons by federal agents against protesters in Portland, Oregon. The ruling limits the use of pepper spray, tear gas, and impact munitions against demonstrators near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.
Restrictions on Federal Agents
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued the restraining order following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon. The ACLU argued that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal agents had used excessive force against protesters, including those participating in a bike ride.
The order specifically restricts the use of pepper balls and tear gas, citing concerns about potential harm to protesters. The lawsuit alleges that agents deployed these munitions against peaceful demonstrators on multiple occasions.
According to court documents, the ACLU sought the restraining order after observing what they described as a pattern of escalating force used against protesters. One incident involved the deployment of tear gas against a group of cyclists during a “joyful” bike ride, as described by BikePortland.
The judge’s order applies to the area around the ICE building in Portland. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the ruling.
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