In brief
Residents at Gray's Landing in Portland are purchasing gas masks and taking additional measures to protect themselves from tear gas fired during protests outside the nearby ICE building. As a federal judge prepares to hear their stories, the residents are part of a lawsuit seeking to restrict the use of such munitions, arguing that it violates their rights and endangers their health. Over a third of the tenants are elderly or disabled, further amplifying concerns over the exposure to harmful chemicals. The suit demands a limit on tear gas deployment unless there is an imminent threat.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Disturbing scenes are unfolding in Portland, where residents of the Gray's Landing affordable housing complex are resorting to gas masks and makeshift barriers in a bid to safeguard themselves from tear gas deployed during protests outside the nearby U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. This alarming trend has culminated in a lawsuit, set to be presented to a federal judge, aimed at limiting the federal officers' use of tear gas during demonstrations. The ongoing legal battle highlights the severe implications of federal crowd-control tactics as the Gray’s Landing residents describe difficulties breathing, headaches, and other distressing symptoms following their exposure to tear gas and other chemical agents. Some residents have even resorted to draping wet towels over doorways and windows to filter out harmful fumes. Their situation has drawn nationwide attention as more than one-third of the building’s tenants are aged 63 and older, with many identifying as low-income or disabled. As this brief is being filed, tear gas is once again inside the homes of Plaintiffs and other residents of Gray’s Landing, where they are just trying to live and breathe in peace, they claim in court documents, indicating their pressing struggle and urgency for relief. The plaintiffs, which include the property manager and various tenants, argue that the federal government's actions have violated their fundamental rights. They assert that tear gas has made their homes uninhabitable, causing major health risks and emotional distress. In response, the federal government has justified the deployment of tear gas, stating it is necessary to manage violent protests effectively. The hearing comes after a recent temporary restraining order placed limitations on the use of tear gas amid public outcry, suggesting a growing recognition of the need for accountability in federal crowd-control practices. With the case set for hearing soon, Portland’s residents remain resilient in their fight for a peaceful living environment.
