PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With “No Kings” marches and rallies scheduled across the country this Saturday, including in Portland, police are preparing the public on expected impacts.
Back in June, the “No Kings” rally in Portland drew big crowds. This time around, organizers are expecting much of the same, though the city is seeing ongoing protests outside the ICE facility along with the federal threat of a National Guard deployment.
Portland police say they expect roughly the same turnout at the “family-friendly event,” depending on the weather. As a result, PPB says they are working with TriMet, ODOT, and law enforcement partners such as Oregon State Police, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Further, officials again plan to have dialogue, bike, as well as motor officers posted downtown and at the ICE facility, according to Assistant Chief of Operations Craig Dobson.
In a press conference Friday, Dobson also noted PPB has not been contacted regarding the deployment of that National Guard or any other federal officials.
However, as first reported by the Oregonian, PPB has come under scrutiny for the alleged deployment of covert informants at the ICE protests, according to court documents.
Dobson initially responded to a question regarding this, claiming PPB is “not necessarily using covert resources.”
However, he acknowledged PPB will occasionally “use resources” in order to protect those protesting lawfully.
“At times, when we believe that there’s criminal activity, or we know there’s criminal activity at those events, we will use resources to be able to identify those that are committing crimes, so that we can ensure that those that are participating peacefully and lawfully can do so and not be affected by those that are doing criminal activity,” Dobson said.
PPB did not provide further comment on this subject.
However, Dobson noted PPB has been in contact with the organizers of the marches, who he says have encouraged participants not to go to the ICE facility.
Oregon lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Merkley have also urged residents not to take the bait when protesting by not reacting violently, which they claim would give the administration reason to send in troops or officers.
“In every possible way, we have a president who thinks he’s a king who is violating the law,” Merkley said. “So the plight of the executive branch violating our freedoms, scraping or shredding our Constitution, and the people are standing up against it, and they’re going to be expressing that this Saturday.”
Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.
Jenna Deml
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