After ICE agents murdered Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and shot two people in Portland, it has become alarmingly clear that we cannot tolerate ICE in our city any longer, and we cannot wait for change to come from politicians: we need to act together to force them out now. Every single day, ICE terrorizes our neighbors: on the street, at workplaces, at the courthouse, and at hospitals and schools.
In response, Portlanders have continued to show up. The streets outside the ICE building have been packed with throngs of protesters, but each night follows an all too familiar playbook that ends with people being brutalized and arrested by police. There have been rallies with hours of speakers and hollow promises from politicians hoping to score points for the next election cycle and marches that go in circles, but these things alone don’t put pressure on ICE.
It’s time to turn it up a notch.
This is a call for something different. We need to go on the offensive and push ICE out of our city before they kill again. It’s time to take the battle to the actual people responsible for kidnapping, disappearing, and shooting our neighbors. Behind the masks, ICE agents have names and addresses, and some of them feel comfortable enough to live in the same city they terrorize on a daily basis.
We’ve seen what we’re capable of when we can come together. In July, Portland showed up and marched on the ICE facility and pushed the feds back. In Los Angeles, crowds have come together to disrupt ICE and CBP and forced them to flee. In Minneapolis, people have sought out the hotels where out of town ICE agents are staying and brought the pressure and noise right into the lobbies. Every day, in every corner of the country, normal people are coming together to stand up and fight back against ICE, in bold and creative ways. Now it’s our turn.
Rita Soraghan is a deportation officer who owns a home in the Mt. Scott/Arleta neighborhood. She works out of the Portland ICE facility, identifying and abducting people, kidnapping our neighbors and tearing apart families. This is where we will start. Let’s come together, make some noise, and turn up the heat on ICE!
We will gather outside Rita’s house on SE 67th Avenue (between SE Raymond and SE Mitchell) street starting at 6pm on Friday, January 16th. We will hold it down until the message is sent.
Masks required. Bring noisemakers, signs, banners, costumes, music, candles, friends, and energy! Leave your phone and camera at home.
No Peace for ICE! No Peace for Rita! ICE out of Portland! ICE out of everywhere!
Please share with friends and networks. We have included a printable two-sided flier to be distributed at events and pasted around the city.
The text included below is from the flier.
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NO PEACE FOR ICE AGENTS!
PROTEST AND BLOCK PARTY
IT’S TIME TO TURN UP THE HEAT ON ICE. THE KIDNAPPERS HAVE NAMES AND ADDRESSES. LET’S TAKE THE FIGHT TO THEM. BRING YOUR NOISE. BRING YOUR ANGER.
DEPORTATION OFFICER RITA SORAGHAN LIVES IN SOUTHEAST PORTLAND. SHE KIDNAPS AND DISAPPEARS OUR NEIGHBORS. WE WILL RALLY OUTSIDE HER HOME UNTIL THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: ICE IS NOT WELCOME HERE! RITA IS NOT WELCOME HERE! LEAVE OUR CITY!
MASKS REQUIRED. BRING A FRIEND. GET LOUD.
WHEN: Friday, 1/16 at 6pm
WHERE: 5103 SE 67th Avenue
We will gather on the West sidewalk of 67th avenue between SE Mitchell and SE Raymond, one block from Arleta elementary school. It’s a good idea to plan your route without your phone so you can leave it at home during the protest. Bus lines 10 and 14 are both good options (from the 10 get off at Harold & 67th and walk North three blocks, from the 14 get off on Foster & 67th and walk South three blocks). The location is close to Mt. Scott community center as well (you can walk West on Harold until you reach 67th, then turn right and walk North for three blocks). Come with a buddy or a group and make a plan together
After ICE agents murdered Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and CBP shot two people here in Portland, it became clear that we cannot afford to sit back and wait for change, WE NEED TO MAKE IT. It is not enough to march in circles and listen to hours of speeches filled with empty promises and personal advertisements. Standing outside the ICE facility is not working. It’s time to take the battle to the actual people responsible for kidnapping, disappearing, and killing our neighbors. This is just the start!
Bring signs, banners, costumes, noisemakers, snacks, drinks, and friends. Come with your anger, sadness, love, and rage and make a stand together: ICE out of Portland! ICE out of everywhere!
Wait, who’s organizing this event?
This event is being put together by a group of activists from various different backgrounds and political beliefs who want ICE out of our communities for good. We are not claiming this event under any banner or name because, quite simply, we have no interest in promoting ourselves or any organization. This event is for everyone and belongs to everyone!
I’m against ICE, but isn’t going to their homes a step too far?
We believe that so long as ICE terrorizes our neighbors, kidnaps our friends, and kills with impunity, ICE agents should not be allowed to live in peace. ICE’s actions are made possible by the soulless ghouls who choose to put on their uniform every day. They hide their identities to escape accountability. If Rita wants peace, she can quit her job and leave our city.
Is this event going to be peaceful?
We want this to be a loud, disruptive, and joyous event. However, we will not be spending our energy trying to control the way others protest, and we ask that you do the same. Instead, we will work together to keep each other safe from the real violent agitators: the Portland Police and DHS.
Why does this say “masks required”?
We are asking that people wear masks for two reasons: First, with flu and COVID floating around, we ask that people wear a mask to keep each other safe and make this event accessible to everyone, including folks who are immunocompromised. Second, police and fascists will use your face to identify and harass you for exercising your right to protest. It’s always a good idea to cover your face at any protest. It’s not that we don’t want to see your handsome mugs, we just want everyone to be as safe as possible!
Should I come live-stream or take photos?
We are asking that folks refrain from live-streaming and taking photos and videos of other people at this event. No matter your intention, your photo or video could be used to send someone to prison. Not everyone wants to be on camera, and we ask that you respect this.
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