A woman living near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon, has filed a lawsuit against the city over what she describes as constant, unbearable noise from late-night protests. The noise, which she claims includes shrill sounds, bells, whistles, and air raid sirens, has caused her extreme physical distress, including ear bleeding, and is taking a toll on her mental health.
Protests and Noise Disturbance Outside ICE Facility
The protests have been targeting the ICE building at 4310 S. Macadam Ave., and are part of nationwide demonstrations related to immigration policies and deportation efforts by the Trump administration. These protests, which often occur late at night, involve the use of loud noises such as makeshift Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) to amplify sounds as a form of protest against the federal government’s immigration actions.
Cloud Elvengrail, who lives in the South Waterfront neighborhood near the facility, has described her apartment as feeling more like a “torture chamber” than a home due to the ongoing noise. In a statement to local news, Elvengrail said that the noise is so loud it has caused her ears to bleed and left her with constant ringing in her ears. She also mentioned that those living in the building with PTSD are especially suffering from the disturbances.
Claims of Hearing Loss and Health Impact
Elvengrail has filed a lawsuit against the city of Portland, demanding that noise ordinances be enforced and that the protests stop using “weaponized” sound. Her attorney, Julie Parrish, explained that the noise is not only physically harmful but is also creating a “life safety issue” for the residents of the building and the wider community.
In her lawsuit, Elvengrail claims that the protests are exacerbating her health conditions, including hearing loss in both ears. “My left ear has begun bleeding,” she wrote in a complaint to a local community leader. She also mentions that the noise makes it difficult to escape from the heat in her apartment, as the lack of air conditioning forces her to choose between opening the windows to cool the space or keeping them shut to block out the noise and fumes.
Support From Neighbors and Calls for Action
Elvengrail’s lawsuit also has support from at least one neighbor, Tim Paulk, who said that the protests have become increasingly aggressive, with demonstrators using megaphones and air horns to deliberately disturb the peace. Paulk described how his attempts to talk to the protesters were met with hostility and aggression.
Parrish has called for an expedited hearing to address the situation as soon as possible, as Elvengrail’s living conditions continue to deteriorate. She stressed that her client is not opposing the right to protest but is simply asking for the cessation of “weaponized noise” that is causing harm.
Legal and Community Tensions
This case underscores the tension between free speech rights and the rights of individuals to live in peace without being subjected to harmful noise. While many support the protests as a form of political expression, Elvengrail’s lawsuit raises questions about the balance between activism and the welfare of nearby residents who are affected by the noise.
The lawsuit filed by Elvengrail against the city of Portland is a call for action to address the disruptive and harmful effects of the protests outside the ICE facility. As legal proceedings move forward, the case may set a precedent for how cities handle the balance between free speech and the rights of individuals to live peacefully in their communities.
