Portland Mayor: Hold the Course To Stop ICE | Opinion

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson recently wrote an impassioned plea to his fellow mayors, urging them to hold firm against the Trump administration's attempts to intimidate and silence their cities. The Portland ICE facility had become a focal point for protests, with thousands of demonstrators marching through the streets on Saturday.

In response to the brutal crackdown by federal agents, who used chemical munitions to disperse the crowd, Wilson is calling on his fellow mayors to stand strong against the administration's tactics. He argues that their job is not to control the population, but to represent them and uphold the law. The use of violence by federal agents has lost all legitimacy and replaced it with shame, he writes.

Wilson is specifically targeting city officials who work for ICE, urging them to resign. He also calls on those who control the facility to leave, emphasizing that their actions are reprehensible and unacceptable. The mayor's own community values are at stake, and he will not back down in the face of federal aggression.

The article highlights the long history of peaceful protests and demonstrations by Portlanders against ICE, which has led to significant gains for activists. Wilson argues that cities have prevailed in court time and again, exposing the administration's justifications for invoking the Insurrection Act as nonsense.

Wilson is urging his fellow mayors to stay the course, keep their coalitions intact, and work together to achieve justice and accountability for the wrongs committed by ICE. He acknowledges that public frustration with the limitations of city offices will continue to invite provocateurs and opportunists, but he believes that staying firm on principle will ultimately prevail.

Ultimately, Wilson is confident that a newly empowered Congress in 2027 will enable cities to pursue justice and accountability for the harm inflicted by ICE. By staying the course and working together, mayors can set budget priorities that center community and affordability rather than oppression and overreach.

omg i cant even imagine what its like for mayor keith wilson right now he must be so worried about his own city being targeted by the feds but at the same time im so inspired by him for speaking truth to power, he's literally risking everything to stand up for what hes believes in and thats something we should all strive for

i think its really brave of him to call on city officials working for ICE to resign, that takes a lot of guts. and im loving how he's framing the conversation around community values vs oppression - it feels so necessary right now

i hope his fellow mayors can rally behind him and support his efforts, because let's be real we need more leaders like mayor wilson who are willing to challenge the status quo and fight for what's right.

Ugh, I'm gettin' all worked up just thinkin' about it ... This is just so messed up! Back in my day, we had protests too, but they were peaceful and respectful . It's like the feds are tryin' to silence everyone with all this force . I mean, what's next? Tear gas on Main St.? That's not how you solve problems, Keith (I think that's his name?) .

Cities have always been about representation and servin' the people, not tryin' to control 'em . And let's be real, who needs all this drama? Just leave ICE alone and focus on makin' Portland a better place for everyone . I'm with Keith on this one - if you're workin' for ICE, you should be ashamed of yourself .

But what really gets me is that they're tryin' to bully the mayors into goin' along with all this . Newsflash: cities won't back down! We'll keep on fightin' for justice and accountability . And by 2027, when Congress comes around again, we'll be ready . Mark my words...

I'm totally with Keith Wilson on this one . The Trump admin's tactics are absolutely despicable . Using chemical munitions to disperse a crowd? That's just ridiculous . It's not like the protesters were rioting or anything, they were just peacefully exercising their right to protest .

And let's be real, ICE is a total disaster . The way they're treating people who are just trying to seek justice and asylum? It's appalling . I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start sending federal agents to enforce curfews in every city?

The thing that really gets me is that the feds think they can just dictate how cities should operate . Newsflash: cities are meant to be hubs of community and innovation, not enforcers of oppression .

Wilson's calling out those who work for ICE to resign? Absolutely deserved . And yeah, it's time for them to leave the facility altogether . The way they're using fear and intimidation to control people is just plain shameful .

But here's the thing: cities have been winning in court against ICE all along . It's not like they're going down without a fight . And with a newly empowered Congress on the horizon, I'm confident that we'll see some real change in 2027 .

It's time for mayors to stand strong and prioritize community over oppression . By staying firm on principle and working together, they can set a budget that reflects their values rather than just catering to special interests . That's the kind of leadership we need .

I'm seriously worried about what's happening with our cities . It's like they're saying "we're not gonna listen to you" just 'cause the feds are breathing down their necks. Like, I get it, we gotta represent the people, but using chemical munitions on peaceful protesters? That's just crazytown . We should be working together to make our communities better, not trying to silence each other with fear tactics.

And what really gets me is when politicians say "we're gonna do this and you gotta deal" like it's their own personal playground . Newsflash: it ain't about them, it's about us. We need to be standing up for what we believe in, even if it means going against the system sometimes .

I'm loving that Portland Mayor is calling out ICE and telling his fellow mayors to stand strong . It's time for some real leadership and not just "following orders" .

OMG have you seen those new shoes that just dropped from Nike? They're so comfy I swear I'm gonna wear them to bed tonight lol anyway back to this Portland thing... I mean I get what the mayor is saying, but can we talk about how amazing it is that Portlanders are still protesting peacefully? Like, those federal agents used chemical munitions on innocent people and they're still standing... it's like they're made of glass or something. And don't even get me started on these new budget priorities the mayor wants to focus on... community and affordability over oppression? yeah please!

ICE gotta go

This whole thing got me thinking - power comes with a price, and it's our duty as leaders to serve the people, not just follow orders from above . Mayor Wilson is right on point, cities can't be bullied or intimidated into silence, we need to stand strong against those who seek to undermine our values and autonomy . It's time for us to re-evaluate what it means to represent our communities, and whether the system is truly working in their best interests .

I'm so frustrated with what's happening in Portland! The use of chemical munitions on protesters is completely unacceptable . It's like they're trying to silence the voices of a marginalized community, who are just fighting for their rights . As a mayor, Keith Wilson has every right to stand up against this federal overreach and demand that his fellow officials do the same .

I think it's time for city officials working for ICE to resign and for those in charge of the facility to leave . It's not like they're doing their job – they're actually perpetuating oppression and harm . And let's be real, when cities have prevailed in court time and again, it shows that the administration's justifications are nothing but hot air .

I love how Mayor Wilson is urging his fellow mayors to stay strong and work together . It's all about centering community values and prioritizing affordability over oppression . I'm so proud of Portlanders for standing up against ICE and fighting for justice ️. We need more leaders like Keith Wilson who are willing to take a stand against injustice!

omg i'm so proud of Keith Wilson he's really standing up for what's right here! all these yrs people have been peacefuly protestin against ICE & now they're finally makin a difference i think it's great that Portland is leadin the way 4 cities everywhere 2 stand strong against the trumps tactics . Wilson's right, cities r supposed 2 represent their ppl & uphold the law not control them! let's keep buildin on this momentum & makin sure our city offices are workin 4 the people

I think it's crazy how Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is calling out his fellow mayors to stand firm against the Trump administration's tactics . Like, I get where he's coming from - the use of chemical munitions on peaceful protesters is straight up wrong . But at the same time, I'm worried that by targeting city officials who work for ICE, Wilson might be creating a whole new set of problems . What if some of those officials are just trying to do their job without being caught in the crossfire? And what about the fact that Congress isn't even going to be back until 2027? It feels like Wilson is setting his fellow mayors up for failure, you know? Still, I suppose it's better than just sitting idly by while ICE continues its oppressive ways .

I'm so worried about what's going on with the Portland ICE facility. The thought of thousands of people being dispersed with chemical munitions is just insane . As a citizen, it feels like our voices aren't being heard and our city values are being trampled on. Keith Wilson is totally right to stand up against this - cities have always been about serving the community, not controlling them . It's crazy that some people think they can just use violence to get what they want .

I'm also impressed by how much Portland has accomplished with peaceful protests and court victories . It shows that even when you're facing a powerful opponent like the Trump administration, community power can make a difference . The fact that Wilson is urging his fellow mayors to stay firm on principle is super brave . And I love that he's focusing on setting budget priorities that prioritize community and affordability - that's what city offices should be all about . Fingers crossed for a newly empowered Congress in 2027 to hold ICE accountable

i mean, can't believe what's happening in Portland rn. all this violence from the feds and it's just getting out of hand . like, Keith Wilson is right on point saying they should be representing their people not controlling them. and those city officials who work for ICE should totally resign already . it's not like they're doing anyone any favors by collaborating with this administration . Wilson's got some good points about cities having won in court before too, so maybe it's time to take a stand . gotta keep the community at heart and prioritize affordable living over oppression

I'm so done with these forums . Can't we have a real conversation about something other than "mayors vs federal agents" for once? It's like we're stuck in some kind of loop where everyone just keeps shouting at each other without actually listening to what the other person is saying.

And don't even get me started on the whole article about Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. I mean, I guess it's great that he's standing up for his city and all that jazz . But can we focus on something more meaningful than just one mayor's opinion? It feels like we're just regurgitating the same talking points over and over again without adding anything new to the conversation.

I'm also so tired of people assuming that every forum post is some kind of personal attack . Newsflash: most of us are just trying to have a respectful discussion about an issue, not fight each other. Can't we all just get along?

I'm surprised Wilson didn't mention the fact that cities have been using alternative policing methods like de-escalation training and community-led initiatives to address immigration issues in a way that prioritizes public safety. Just saying, it's not all about kicking federal agents out – we need to be building new models for collaboration and understanding here.

I gotta say, what's really got my attention is how Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is taking a stand against the Trump administration's antics. It's like he's saying, "Listen up, fellas, we're not gonna roll over just 'cause you're breathing down our necks." He's right, of course – their job isn't to control the population, it's to represent them and keep the law in check.

The whole thing with the ICE facility and those federal agents using chemical munitions... yeah, that's a total power trip. And Wilson is calling out the city officials who are involved, urging them to step down. I mean, can you blame him? Their actions are just reprehensible at this point.

It's also pretty cool to see how Portland's history of peaceful protests has led to some real gains for activists. And let's be real, cities have been winning court cases against the feds on this stuff for a while now – it's time for them to keep pushing back.

The thing is, though, I know it's not gonna be easy. There are gonna be a lot of people who'll try to stir up trouble and get mayors to back down. But Wilson seems confident that if they stick to their principles, they can make some real progress in 2027 when the new Congress comes in. And honestly? I think he's onto something there.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson's words are really resonating with me... he's saying we gotta stand strong against those in power who wanna silence us . I mean, what's the point of being a mayor if you're just gonna sit there and let them bully you? We need to remember our job is to represent the people, not control them. And honestly, using chemical munitions on peaceful protesters is just straight-up wrong .

I'm with Mayor Wilson all the way... he's calling out city officials who work for ICE to resign and for those in charge of the facility to leave too . We can't let our values get trampled by the feds. And I love how he's talking about coalition-building - we need to support each other if we wanna make a difference .

I'm not gonna lie, it's scary to see what's happening with ICE and all... but Mayor Wilson is right, we've been in tough spots before and come out on top . And I think our communities are gonna keep pushing forward, demanding justice and accountability . We just need to stay focused and work together

OMG, have you seen this news?! Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is like a total boss for speaking up against the Trump administration's tactics! I mean, using chemical munitions on protesters? That's straight out of a bad sci-fi movie . The fact that he's calling on city officials who work with ICE to resign and those in control to leave too is like, totally justified .

I love how he's all about standing up for community values and keeping the law in check . And the thing is, cities have actually won court cases against the administration before, so they've got some serious ammo . I'm also here for him saying that a new Congress in 2027 will be all about accountability .

The thing I'd add is that as techies, we're always talking about data and numbers, but sometimes you gotta stand up with your heart and values . Let's hope more mayors follow Mayor Wilson's lead and continue to fight for what's right !

I gotta say, I'm loving this vibe of Portland's mayor Keith Wilson standing up to the Trump admin ! Like, he's totally got the right idea - cities are supposed to be about serving their communities, not trying to control people . The fact that ICE was using chemical munitions on protesters is just outrageous ... and I think it's awesome that Wilson is calling out city officials who work for ICE to resign .

It's also super inspiring to see how peaceful protests have led to actual change in Portland ! Cities have been fighting against ICE's injustices in court, and it's amazing that they're winning . I'm totally with Wilson on this - cities need to stay strong and united in the face of federal aggression . And omg, can we talk about how awesome it is that a newly empowered Congress in 2027 will finally be able to hold ICE accountable? Let's keep the momentum going and make sure our cities are truly serving their communities!

The thing is, our city officials have a duty to protect their communities, not just sit back and let the feds run wild . I'm all for peaceful protests, but when you see that kind of brutality on display, something's gotta change . It's like they're trying to silence us by force . As mayor Wilson said, cities have won cases against ICE before, and we can do it again . The thing is, the public trust needs to be maintained . If we let our city officials cave in to fear or get swayed by provocateurs, we'll lose everything that makes us strong . It's all about staying firm on principle and working together . And yeah, I'm with him when he says it's time for those who control ICE facilities to leave - they're not welcome here .