Portland Police Sergeant Criticizes Anti-ICE Protesters in Email to Federal Court
An email from a Portland police sergeant criticized three individuals he referred to as "counter-protesters" for their involvement in anti-ICE protests outside an immigration facility. The email, dated Sept. 21, identified the individuals as Rhein Amacher, Chelly Bouferrache, and Katelyn Daviscourt, who were described as a source of police and medical calls at the ICE facility.
Sgt. Andrew Braun's email was filed in Oregon federal court as part of the state's lawsuit against President Donald Trump. The email highlighted the repeated confrontations between the three individuals and ICE protesters, despite police advice to stay away from the crowd. The individuals were listed as victims in the email and were known for their involvement in the recent anti-ICE protests in Portland.
Amacher, Bouferrache, and Daviscourt were described in the email based on their associated X accounts. Amacher identified as a "Right-wing Provocateur," Bouferrache as a "Blue state dissident" and "Anti-Communist," and Daviscourt as an investigative reporter with the Post Millennial. The email also mentioned that the Portland Police Bureau was trying to address the safety concerns arising from the ongoing protests.
Anti-ICE protests have been ongoing in various parts of the country, including Portland and near Chicago. The email detailed a specific incident outside the ICE facility involving Amacher and other protesters, where pepper spray was used. The email also mentioned the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests and a federal judge's decision to temporarily block the National Guard deployment in Portland.
Braun's email highlighted the trespassing behavior of the three individuals on federal and trolley property, similar to the main protesters. The email also described a disturbance outside the ICE facility on Sept. 20, involving Amacher and a group of protesters. Despite the agitated demeanor of the protesters that night, police were able to avoid a confrontation with the main crowd, leading to the dispersal of the protesters.
Efforts to reach the Portland Police Bureau for comment on the email were unsuccessful. The ongoing anti-ICE protests have raised concerns about safety and law enforcement response in Portland and other cities, prompting legal actions and increased scrutiny on the handling of the protests.