[ad_1]
Portland Police began Wednesday morning cleaning the protest camp at the Southwest Portland offices of the Federal Agency for Immigration and Customs
A group of protesters remained in the neighborhood General of South Waterfront. Occupiers said they were taking action against the Trump administration 's immigration policy.
Police issued a statement around 4:30 am that Portland officers were helping to clear the Occupy ICE camp near Southwest Macadam Avenue and Bancroft Street in the South Waterfront District.
The city had warned the remaining campers Monday night that they needed to leave or be arrested after Tuesday
Most occupants, who at one point numbered hundreds, had left the camp in the last few weeks.
About a dozen remained Wednesday morning, standing at the intersection of Lowell Street and Moody Avenue. Police had taped the area around the ICE headquarters and closed the intersection.
Police said that protesters were the subject of a quote or arrest for charges, including trespassing, illegal encampment on public property and illegal structures on public property. The police statement said his explosives unit and the Portland Fire & Rescue staff were present as precautions.
The police stated that the contract workers would clear the camp and recover objects of "obvious utility and value" left on the spot. The office will keep the items and people will be able to claim their effects until September 1, 2018 by contacting Pacific Patrol Services at 503-595-3440.
The action closed many streets at the beginning of the ride, including:
- Bancroft is closed between Macadam and Bond Avenue
- Moody is closed between Bancroft and Lowell.
- Bond is closed at Bancroft.
Shortly after 6:00 am, Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw held a press conference on the site.
The occupants set up a makeshift camp five weeks ago in the building. They said that their intention was to protest against the Trump administration's policy of separating children and parents who are detained after border crossings and to request the abolition of ICE.
The field office closed for days because protesters blocked his entrances. Several protesters were arrested and charged with offenses when the federal police moved to reopen the building. Protesters continued, with tensions between their ranks and federal officers who ignited on occasion.
The protests ended last week, when members of the Patriot prayer group on the right came to the camp and talked to protesters. Three protesters were arrested at the time for crossing police lines and preventing access to the building.
A faction of protesters voluntarily left Monday, said Eudaly. Wheeler encouraged others to follow suit.
Wheeler declared that he supported the cause of the protesters, but believes that the demonstration in camp is no longer "sustainable"
"For all the protesters: I urge you to continue this effort" Wheeler said. He added that he believes it's time for the protesters to "move on" and focus on changing the immigration policy, rather than camping at the office of the CIE.
This is a story in development and will be updated.
– The Oregonian / OregonLive
Source link
