PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Since President Trump announced he would deploy troops to Portland to protect the ICE facility, the city has been in the national spotlight. The peaceful protests have continued with more and more people dressing up in inflatable costumes.
Beyond the costumes underscoring a joyful vibe at the ICE facility protests is another unexpected thing: Tourists.
A man dressed in a shark costume came to see what the “war zone” of Portland looked like. He’s been at the ICE facility for at least several days.
“I’ve been migrating up from San Francisco along the cold waters, up the Columbia River and then pulled myself onto the streets of Portland,” Shark-man told KOIN 6 News. “I’m not going to dehumanize a sunfish or a migrant, like, we’re all in this together. And as soon as we understand that, we can start solving some real problems.”
Kathy Barenbrugge, who lives in Happy Valley, was outside the ICE facility Tuesday night.
“We just wanted to do something quickly to be a part of it instead of just being online all the time,” she said.
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A man from California drove to Portland to wear a shark costume outside the ICE facility in Portland, October 14, 2025 (KOIN) -
Armed federal agents outside the ICE facility in Portland, October 14, 2025 (KOIN) -
Only a handful of people outside the ICE facility in Portland, including costumed protesters, October 14, 2025 (KOIN) -
A man from California drove to Portland to wear a shark costume outside the ICE facility in Portland, October 14, 2025 (KOIN) -
Tony and Sandy Jorgenson drove from California with a peace quilt to the ICE facility in Portland, October 14, 2025 (KOIN) -
A man from California drove to Portland to wear a shark costume outside the ICE facility in Portland, October 14, 2025 (KOIN)
Tony and Sandy Jorgenson made a quick stop in Portland on their trip from their California home to Canada.
“I don’t see any weapons of mass destruction or anything. It doesn’t appear to be a war,” Sandy said.
They also brought Sandy’s hand-made peace blanket, a quilt she made during the pandemic.
“I feel it’s kind of appropriate now because of what’s going on,” Sandy said. “And it says, ‘Imagine and love. Hope and peace’ at the bottom. And the butterflies (on the quilt) represent how fragile our democracy is.”
All the people who spoke with KOIN 6 News shared a similar message: Don’t be afraid of Portland.
“Dress warm and don’t be afraid. Come join the party,” Sandy said.
Shark said, “I just think that people need to understand that we are all in this together.”
And Barenbrugge, who lives nearby, wants everyone to know what she knows.
“I love the city, so I want to make sure that people see that. And I think that if my friends see this, they will also see. They believe me.”
Ariel Iacobazzi
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