Hundreds of protesters, counter-protesters, and journalists gathered outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland after a large “No Kings” rally drew tens of thousands downtown.

The tense standoff began when federal agents detained a demonstrator and dragged him into the compound under unclear circumstances.

Soon after, agents fired pepper rounds to disperse the crowd blocking the road and to secure entry for several vehicles.

Witnesses reported that one unarmed protester standing peacefully near a marked boundary was seized and pulled behind a line of officers without provocation.

Agents then launched multiple rounds of tear gas into the crowd, forcing protesters to retreat while some treated their eyes with saline and donned gas masks.

Despite repeated use of chemical agents, traffic on South Bancroft Street continued, with drivers honking in support of demonstrators calling for an end to ICE operations.

Local police warned protesters to leave the street or face arrest, citing “crowd control measures” that included impact munitions.

By evening, hundreds remained outside the facility as rain fell.

Federal officers erected tents on the rooftop, drawing mockery from protesters chanting against ICE and federal intervention.

Jeff Olsen, 73, who had joined earlier demonstrations, called the protests “quintessential Portland,” describing them as large and peaceful despite federal aggression.

Federal agents again fired tear gas into the crowd without warning, setting off small fires that were quickly extinguished by rain.

Authorities later confirmed several arrests, citing alleged assault, bias crime, and harassment, as the confrontation underscored growing public anger over federal crackdowns and the government’s handling of dissent.