PORTLAND, Ore. – A dramatic scene outside a Portland music festival has gone viral after a TikTok journalist posted footage of what she described as a violent ICE arrest. The video, shared on August 27, has fueled intense debate over the conduct of federal agents and their growing presence at public gatherings.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
The footage was uploaded by Mary Jane Elton, a self-described gonzo journalist and TikTok influencer whose channel, @m.j.elton, regularly covers protests and social justice issues.
In her initial post, Elton claimed a protester sitting near a driveway outside the festival grounds was suddenly grabbed by the throat by DHS officers.
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The video shows bystanders reacting furiously to the arrest. In one clip, a man shouts at agents:
“What the fuck is wrong with you? For f**king sitting down? You guys are gonna choke him out?”
Seconds later, the same individual yells:
“Are you fking God? We’re on fking public property!”
Others in the crowd echoed his anger, accusing officers of overstepping their authority and assaulting a protester without justification.
Agents Silent Amid Accusations
The alleged chokehold itself is not captured on camera. However, Elton’s footage does show ICE and DHS officers retreating as the crowd grows louder and more hostile. Notably, none of the agents attempt to explain or defend their actions.
Instead, they back away, appearing tense and uneasy under the scrutiny of cameras and cellphones. Some can be seen glancing around nervously as the accusations continue.
The video also pans to a nearby rooftop, where several people appear to be filming the encounter from above, adding to the sense that the entire scene was being closely documented by witnesses.
Altercation Moved Out of Sight
In a follow-up TikTok, Elton reported that federal agents eventually moved the situation into a nearby parking garage. Once inside, they shut the doors, preventing the public from seeing what happened next.
Elton suggested the move was designed to shield the arrest from further recording, a tactic she said reinforced community suspicions about the agents’ methods.
Public Reaction
The videos quickly drew widespread attention on TikTok, racking up thousands of views and comments. Many users expressed outrage at what they perceived as abuse of power by federal agents operating in civilian spaces.
One viewer wrote:
“Any law enforcement [officer] is subject to the Constitution and the laws of the state that they are in. If they violate that[,] they should all go to jail.”
Another added bluntly:
“Police brutality at its best!!!!”
For many, the arrest outside the Portland music festival served as yet another example of federal law enforcement clashing with citizens, especially at politically charged gatherings.
Growing Concerns Over ICE Presence
While ICE and DHS agents frequently operate across the country, their actions have increasingly come under fire as civilians with smartphones document encounters in real time. Viral clips often circulate faster than official statements, shaping public perception long before agencies respond.
In this case, the silence of the officers during the confrontation — coupled with the decision to move the arrest out of public view — left many online viewers skeptical of the agents’ conduct.
A Larger Conversation
The incident underscores the growing tension between law enforcement and communities in Portland, a city with a long history of protests and strong opposition to federal intervention.
Elton’s caption summed up the frustration shared by many who commented on the video: “We are in a civil war.” While hyperbolic, the statement reflects a deep sense of division and distrust between government agents and the public they are tasked with serving.
As of now, ICE has not released a statement about the August 27 arrest or the allegations captured in Elton’s videos.
