(NewsNation) — Tensions have continued to escalate across the country over the deployment of the National Guard to cities like Chicago and Portland.
Portland is awaiting a court ruling on whether the Oregon National Guard troops will be deployed to protect federal buildings in the city, with the main focal point being the ICE facility there.
Over the weekend, protests continued outside of the facility to speak out against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Numerous arrests were made as federal agents tried to clear the area. One protester who was arrested and brought into the facility told NewsNation she’d been charged with failure to comply with the order to disperse.
Veterans set up camp to protest National Guard in Memphis
Sunday’s protest had the largest turnout and saw more intense confrontation between the agents and demonstrators as arrests were made. There was also an increasing number of people who showed up to the protests wearing inflatable animal costumes in a way to counter the narrative that Portland is an unsafe place. The form of protest has been called “Operation Inflation.”
“People are here to actually have their voices heard, which they should be, especially in Portland of all cities,” a man who organized the operation told NewsNation. “Instead of worrying about antifa and other stupid things, let’s actually talk about this and have that conversation, because these (protesters) are blowing bubbles and having pizza. This is not a dangerous group here.”
