Federal officers tear-gas protesters outside courthouse in Portland

Federal officers on Thursday drove away protesters who were damaging a courthouse in Portland, Ore., with tear gas.

Tear gas, impact munitions, smoke bombs and flash-bang grenades were used to drive protesters away from the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse after protesters started fires and broke glass at the building, Oregon Live reported.

The protest was reportedly against an oil pipeline that protesters believe would harm the environment if it was expanded. 

“Downtown Portland at the federal courthouse, anti DHS/ICE and #StopLine3 protesters gather. A few of the remaining uncovered windows have been broken. An American flag burns in front of the door,” independent journalist Garrison Davis, who covered the protests on Thursday, said.

Downtown Portland at the federal courthouse, anti DHS/ICE and #StopLine3 protesters gather. A few of the remaining uncovered windows have been broken. An American flag burns in front of the door. pic.twitter.com/esFpeP7Tpe

— Garrison Davis (keyboard cowboy) (@hungrybowtie) March 12, 2021

Federal officials told protesters that the courthouse and sidewalks around it were closed and anyone on the federal property was trespassing, according to Oregon Live.

This is not the first time federal authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters in Portland.

Federal authorities also used tear gas last summer in Portland to disperse crowds after clashes with the police.

Thursday’s protest happened after the fencing around the courthouse was taken down after months of it being up from last summer’s protest.