PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A protest staged outside the Federal Building in Eugene on Tuesday night ended with two arrests after demonstrators clashed with federal agents and defaced property. The event, organized under the banner “Portland in Solidarity with Eugene,” drew about 60 people and highlighted continuing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Oregon.
Demonstration at the Federal Building
The protest began Tuesday afternoon in front of the Federal Building at 211 East 7th Avenue, which houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
By early evening, the building had already been vacated. Police confirmed it closed at 5 p.m., and no immigration-related activities were occurring at the site that day. Despite this, protesters remained in front of the building into the night.
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Altercation Reported Before Protest
According to the Eugene Police Department (EPD), officers were called to a report of an altercation nearby at East 6th Avenue and High Street around 4:30 p.m. The individuals involved had dispersed by the time police arrived, but one was located several blocks away later that evening.
Protest Intensifies After Sunset
As night fell, about 60 demonstrators, many dressed in “Black Bloc-style” clothing — dark outfits, masks, helmets, gas masks, and protective eyewear — gathered outside the Federal Building.
Police said demonstrators threw objects at Federal Protective Service (FPS) agents and vandalized property around the site. Protest graffiti was also reported.
Police Response and Arrests
Despite the confrontations, EPD emphasized that it continues to adhere to Oregon’s sanctuary laws, which bar local police from cooperating with immigration enforcement.
“Eugene Police Department will continue to strictly adhere to sanctuary laws and not assist or facilitate immigration enforcement,” Police Chief Chris Skinner said in a statement. “We will, however, continue to monitor protest and demonstration activity in our community and take appropriate action if criminal behavior occurs. I’m deeply concerned when people travel from outside our community to participate in these protests.”
Two men were arrested following Tuesday’s events:
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A 28-year-old Portland resident, detained on one charge of misdemeanor harassment.
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A 19-year-old Eugene resident, accused of spray-painting graffiti during the protest.
Both face misdemeanor charges and are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.
Broader Context of ICE Protests in Oregon
The demonstration reflects ongoing opposition to immigration enforcement across the state. Protests against ICE have become a recurring theme in Portland and Eugene, often drawing participants from outside the immediate community.
Critics of ICE say the agency has instilled fear in immigrant neighborhoods, while supporters argue that federal enforcement is necessary to uphold immigration laws. These tensions have made Oregon, with its sanctuary state policies, a focal point in the national debate over immigration.
Tuesday’s protest underscores how demonstrations can escalate quickly, even when federal facilities are closed and no active enforcement actions are taking place.
Awaiting Federal Response
As of Wednesday, KOIN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE and Federal Protective Service agents, for comment on the incident. No response has yet been provided.
Looking Ahead
While the majority of Tuesday’s demonstration remained peaceful, police say actions that cross into vandalism or harassment will continue to result in charges. The arrests highlight the balance law enforcement in Oregon seeks to strike: protecting free expression while addressing criminal behavior that threatens public safety.
For now, the Federal Building in Eugene has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between immigration enforcement and community opposition — a struggle that shows no signs of ending soon.
