Residents of the Gray’s Landing affordable housing complex in Portland, Oregon, are combating federal tear gas deployment by purchasing gas masks and taking extraordinary measures to safeguard their homes. The tenants, many of whom are elderly or disabled, are set to testify in a lawsuit seeking to restrict the use of tear gas by federal agents during protests near an immigration enforcement building.
Filed in December, the lawsuit argues that exposure to tear gas has compromised residents' rights to life and safety, causing health complications and confining them indoors. Plaintiffs contend that chemical munitions have not only affected their health but also contaminated their living spaces.
The plaintiffs include property management and several tenants, highlighting pervasive symptoms like difficulty breathing, headaches, and respiratory issues exacerbated by tear gas and other chemical agents used at protests. One resident, a 72-year-old veteran, experienced life-threatening complications, prompting a hospital visit due to shortness of breath.
As tensions at the protests escalate, federal officials defend the use of crowd-control munitions, stating their actions are necessary to manage violent demonstrations. However, the residents argue that recent gas deployments occurred despite there being no immediate threats.
A preliminary injunction request was filed in response to another incident where tear gas was used on a peaceful gathering. Residents expressed their distress, noting that they live in constant fear of gas infiltrating their homes.
The upcoming court case reflects broader concerns about federal crowd-control tactics in cities across the U.S., particularly amidst protests against immigration enforcement that intensified during and after the Trump administration.
