The Department of Homeland Security expressed its approval of a rather unusual protest against ICE that unfolded in Portland, featuring hundreds of naked activists outside an ICE facility. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin remarked that “these unseemly tactics will not stop or slow us.”
“In a strange attempt to obstruct ICE operations, protestors are holding ‘die-ins’ where they lie nude on the streets, blocking traffic near ICE offices,” she told a news outlet. “Our agencies will persist in removing dangerous individuals such as murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists from this country.”
On what turned out to be a rainy Sunday, a group of naked bikers arrived at the city’s immigration detention center, blasting music and yelling derogatory phrases toward federal agents, as seen in a video shared on social media. Some protestors even had slogans like “There is no king” and “Humans are illegal” written on their bodies. A handful of federal agents observed the naked participants from a rooftop, recording the scene with their phones.
At one moment, hundreds of these protestors lay down on the Burnside Bridge, staging a “duel” against ICE and the deployment of the National Guard ordered by then-President Donald Trump. McLaughlin considered the demonstration to be absurd, but also noted that federal law enforcement in Portland was grappling with issues beyond just these loud protests.
In recent weeks, federal agents have faced violence from demonstrators in various major cities, with some incidents involving protests where an ICE vehicle was rammed, prompting officers to fire their weapons. Attacks on ICE personnel have increased, as per DHS, noting a shocking 1,000 percent rise in assaults against employees.
McLaughlin described the situation, stating, “Antifa domestic terrorists and an anti-ICE mob attacked law enforcement outside the ICE office in Portland.” Furthermore, three individuals were arrested for violent acts against police officers, which included spitting, kicking, and biting.
“Thanks to the efforts of President Trump, we’ve seen an increase in federal law enforcement resources from various agencies. This chaos and violence will be ended under his leadership. Law and order will prevail,” McLaughlin added.
