Agents use tear gas after community members block ICE vehicles in NE Salem

SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - A group of community members confronted federal agents working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in northeast Salem on Saturday morning, according to police.

At 9:30 a.m., federal agents reported to the Salem Police Department that about 30 people had surrounded their vehicles and were blocking them in with cars near Lancaster Drive Northeast and Sunnyview Road Northeast.

While Salem officers were on their way to the area, agents told police they had cleared the crowd using tear gas and driven away. Meanwhile, 911 received multiple calls about people suffering from tear-gas related medical issues including difficulty breathing.

Jose Garivey said he and his wife Martha Vitela were there.

“I’ve been here almost forty years in Salem, Oregon, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Garivey said.

The couple says an ICE agent was driving a black SUV. In a video they shared with FOX 12, the federal agent can be seen slamming his car into another vehicle before Garivey says tear gas and rubber bullets were shot into the crowd.

“They just came over and start throwing the smoke canisters and pepper spraying,” the couple said.

Another video shows the less-lethal weapons agents had on hand to manage people.

“They were shooting rubber bullets. They had the opportunity many times to leave, but they didn’t do it. It was like they wanted to create chaos,” Garivey said.

Both Garivay and Vitela said they did not like the violence that transpired on Saturday morning.

They also said some people found it difficult to stay calm when they felt federal agents were antagonizing them.

“They’re just sending hearts. Making heart signals, throwing kisses at them, laughing at the people surrounding them,” Vitela said.

According to Salem police, once their officers and Salem Fire Department crews arrived at the scene, they first gave people medical care. Then, SPD said officers began to investigate the incident, and will pass on what they learn to the Oregon Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Salem Police Officers had no prior knowledge of the activity in this incident and did not coordinate in any way with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Salem police said. “Our officers respond to disturbances such as this solely to de-escalate, provide medical aid when necessary, and collect evidence so that the appropriate oversight agencies can conduct their review.”

Congresswoman Andrea Salinas issued a statement on Saturday afternoon, in which she says ICE operations are not making Oregon communities safer.

“ICE’s actions today were reckless and needlessly endangered innocent people. As part of today’s operations, ICE deployed pepper spray, pepper balls, and smoke canisters against the elderly and children. They followed and harassed U.S. citizens, and they drove recklessly with a blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers. At one point, they shut down 99E and nearly caused several accidents,” Salinas said in her statement.

This comes after immigration rights groups and advocates reported a recent surge in detentions and arrests by federal agents across Oregon.

An ICE spokesperson provided the following statement on Monday morning:

“On October 10 in Salem, Oregon, our officers were surrounded by anti-ICE agitators on foot and in vehicles who blocked their ability to depart. These rioters struck government vehicles with baseball bats and rocks, threatening harm to our officers and the public while causing significant damage. Officers relied on their training to control the situation with professionalism and integrity.”

“Violence against ICE officers, or any law enforcement personnel, will not be tolerated. Our officers carry out their Congressionally mandated duties in service to public safety and the rule of law. Any bystander or individual who assaults, obstructs, or violently attacks officers will be subject to arrest and prosecution permitted by law.”

“America’s brave ICE agents put their lives on the line every day to enforce U.S. law and arrest criminal illegal aliens—including gang members, rapists, and murderers. Pro-criminal illegal alien politicians like Rep. Salinas should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from her district—NOT vilifying law enforcement. This type of rhetoric is contributing to a more than 1,600% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line.”

“ICE law enforcement officers are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations to prioritize the safety of the public and our officers. Officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and regularly receive ongoing use of force training. The latest ICE use of force policy is available here.”

“Secretary Mullin has been clear: if you law a hand on a law enforcement, you will face the consequences. We have ZERO tolerance for violence against law enforcement.”