The landlord of Gray’s Landing in Portland is considering legal options against the federal government. REACH Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization, seeks to end the use of tear gas and other crowd control munitions during protests outside the nearby U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Gray’s Landing, which accommodates over 200 low-income seniors, veterans, families, and individuals with disabilities, has been affected by the ongoing protests. REACH argues that the frequent deployment of tear gas, smoke bombs, and pepper balls has harmed residents’ health and created significant difficulties for the organization.
Residents have reported disturbances, with noise disrupting their sleep. Long-time resident Susan Dooley expressed her concerns to local media, stating that repeated exposure to these chemical agents has severely impacted her health, leaving her disoriented after each incident involving tear gas or smoke bombs.
To mitigate these issues, REACH has taken several steps, including the installation of air scrubbing machines, provision of in-unit air purifiers, distribution of earplugs, hiring daily courtesy patrols, and accommodating requests for resident relocations. The organization has also been in discussions with local media and city officials about the effects of federal actions, advocating for municipal assistance in cleaning sidewalks and adjusting traffic patterns near the ICE facility.
In early July, REACH’s Property Management team met with Portland Police to explore additional strategies for reducing disturbances, such as collaborating with federal agents to restrict gas usage in residential areas and enforcing the city’s noise regulations.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly – not rioting. DHS is taking reasonable and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers.” She emphasized that law enforcement exercises restraint before resorting to non-lethal force, citing instances of violence against officers. REACH has clarified that while they have not yet decided on legal action, they continue to urge federal agents to cease tactics that jeopardize the safety of residents.
