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Alex Zielinski

Federal police have begun clearing the Occupy ICE PDX camp, removing tents from the driveway and arresting nine protesters on unknown federal charges.

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The sweep began at 5:30 am, led by officers from the Department of Homeland Security. Portland Police have been seen blocking some traffic, but local officers are not on the police line. There are no plans to clear the rest of the camp, which sits on local government property between the ICE building and a Tesla dealership.



The protest—more than a 10-day occupation of the areas around the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland—was initially created to protest the separation of immigrant children from their families. Demands from protesters include counseling for separated immigrant children, the end of Trump's zero tolerance policy, and the abolishment of ICE.


Although the entrance to the building has been cleared, the ICE building won't be open until sometime next week, says Federal Protective Service spokesperson Rob Sperling. And if protesters come back to set up another camp, “We’re going to have a presence for a while to ensure that doesn’t happen.” Sperling says.


Protesters had previously been warned that they were breaking the law—officers came through the camp earlier this week to hand out fliers stating that the action is illegal.

Protesters have responded to the morning's sweep by jeering at the officers and playing the sounds of immigrant children crying over loudspeakers. “You hear this? You hear these cries? You are complicit.” A protester asks the line of officers.



UPDATE (6/28/2018 10:16 am): Portland Police Bureau has issued a statement regarding its involvement in the sweep. "The Police Bureau is assisting Portland community members by providing traffic control on roadways that are affected by nearby Federal Law Enforcement action.... The Police Bureau is not involved with Federal Protective Services (FPS) actions as it relates to Occupy ICE PDX."


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Additionally, ICE building owner Stuart Lindquist has arrived on the scene. He previously struck a protester with his car, prompting protests at his home.


For more updates, follow reporter Alex Zielinski on Twitter.