On Tuesday afternoon, masked individuals associated with Antifa gathered around a federal building in Eugene, Oregon, to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration took place one day after President Trump signed an executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
According to reports from the scene by Post Millennial journalist Katie Daviscourt, protesters positioned themselves at the entrances and exits of the building, pounding on doors and windows. Employees inside were reportedly forced to find alternative ways to exit due to the blockade.
Video footage shared by Daviscourt showed demonstrators outside the building and indicated that some participants had traveled from Portland. “Breaking: Antifa has surrounded the federal building in Eugene, Oregon, to protest ICE. The domestic terrorist group is posted up at the entrances/exits, pounding on doors and windows. Sources inside say employees are having to find alternative exits,” Daviscourt reported.
Federal law enforcement responded by making several arrests outside the building. Additional video published by Daviscourt documented these arrests as officers attempted to restore access and order at the site.
President Trump’s executive order stated: “Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law. It uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals.” The order further outlined measures for federal agencies to investigate and disrupt activities linked to Antifa: “Because of the aforementioned pattern of political violence designed to suppress lawful political activity and obstruct the rule of law, I hereby designate Antifa as a ‘domestic terrorist organization.’ All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa.”
The executive order will be published in the Federal Register as required by standard procedure.
