Tensions High as Portland Anti-ICE Protest Reaches at the Mayor's Home, Woman Arrested

Portland Police, on Saturday, intercepted an anti-ICE protest involving an angry crowd. The protest march started from Wilshire Park, then proceeded to the Alameda area. Shortly after, one of the active protesters, Mila L. Payne, was arrested by the cops for allegedly throwing a vase at the porch of the mayoral residence.

​In a news release, the Portland Police Department clearly outlined the city’s anti-ICE demonstrations. They also explained why the 20-year-old protester was arrested. The vase shattered immediately after being thrown on the porch of the residence, and no damage was recorded. Moreover, no one was injured in the attack.

These protests and demonstrations in the city have demanded that Mayor Wilson revoke a permit for the Portland ICE facility in the South Waterfront area. The activist group that has organized this protest, Portland Contra las Deportaciones, has described this facility as a ‘home base for ICE’s terror’. They have further accused authorities of inactivity on the matter, despite the fact that there have been longstanding land use violations.

Interestingly, it has not been the first time that this activist group has launched a direct action against Mayor Keith Wilson. A somewhat similar rally had taken place back in February involving about 60 angry protesters. Back then, they had pressured the city to revoke the conditional land use granted to build the ICE facility.

20-year-old Mila L. Payne was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree trespassing. However, she was not jailed and, in fact, was released later due to jail booking restrictions. Mila does not have any pending court records showing prior convictions in her name.

She has a limited criminal history. Nonetheless, while she has not been jailed for throwing a vase at the Mayor’s residence, she is required to appear in court within the next 30 days. The office of Mayor Keith Wilson has not responded or issued a comment on the attack at his residence.

Meanwhile, the Portland Police Bureau has remained on alert, considering the growing outcry and protests in the city. In their official statement, the department confirmed their close vigilance over such activities. They added, “As a reminder, just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, that does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later.”

On the other hand, the group Portland Contra las Deportaciones has addressed these ongoing protests and defended their actions. In their statement, they have said previous attempts to reach out to the mayor were unsuccessful.

According to Cami Saunders, one of the spokespersons for the activist group, the act of throwing a vase and other spent munitions fired by federal agents at the mayor’s porch was symbolic.

She said, “I didn’t see specifically what happened, but as far as our organization is concerned, broken glass is nothing compared to what the South Waterfront has been enduring, not to mention our immigrant community here in Portland.”

She added, “We met with the mayor in February, and we were met with silence, abdication of responsibility, and a clear commitment from the city to keep the ICE facility open. Mayor Keith Wilson should not be able to have peace at his home, freedom from chemical munitions that he is allowing the federal agents to use in the City of Portland.”