Overview
- Four people were arrested after protesters disrupted Wednesday’s Portland City Council meeting, forcing a 45-minute recess before the session reconvened online.
- Roughly 50 to 55 people joined the action, about two dozen Portland police officers assisted council security, and no injuries were reported.
- Councilor Loretta Smith called the episode a “mini insurrection,” said she felt unsafe, and drafted an ordinance to let councilors openly carry firearms during official business despite Portland’s general ban on openly carrying loaded guns.
- Police Chief Bob Day said local demonstrations have grown in intensity, the response drained nearly every available officer, and options such as locking City Hall or moving to remote-only meetings are being considered.
- Protesters demanded the city revoke the land-use permit for ICE’s South Macadam Avenue facility as Portland recently upheld a violation against the landlord, who has 10 business days to appeal or until March 16 to correct issues.