NORTH BEND, Ore. — Communities nationwide continue to react with protests, and questions regarding shootings in both Minnesota and Portland.
Along the coast, one immigrant couldn’t contain his emotions discussing the incidents during a town hall held by Senator Jeff Merkley in North Bend.
“They’re bullying and the best thing for a bully is give him a gun. They can even double-bully you, and if you’re standing up, they shoot you. I’m heartbroken for George Floyd and for all of that, that’s how the Nazis did that in Germany,” said Hardy Eckey, an immigrant originally from Germany.
Immigrant voices heartbreak and fear at North Bend town hall over recent shootings
Eckey attended the town hall with a sign in his hand that said, “She was good, ICE is bad,” on one side and, “Help us please,” on the opposite side.
Senator Merkley spoke about the shooting that occurred in Portland, mentioning that details have been sparse.
“We don’t know if the two individuals were leaving the hospital, coming to the hospital. We don’t know if they did in fact weaponize the vehicle, as what we were told by the Department of Homeland Security,” said Merkley.
He says that it’s becoming more challenging to trust what the Department of Homeland Security reports.
“The reason we can’t trust the information from the DHS is because they’ve lied to the American people time, and time, and time again over the last year,” Merkley said.
Eckey says he expects the violence by ICE agents to continue, saying, “There will be more.”