On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, workers, families, children and pets gathered for a peaceful protest that was organized by Oregon’s labor unions. The right to peacefully protest lawfully and non-violently is a constitutional and fundamental right to all Americans. These non-violent protesters were tear gassed and exposed to chemicals by federal agents. The response of violence to a non-violent protest puts all of us and our democracy at risk and erodes the trust of the public.
Americans have the right to dissent, disagree, advocate and peacefully protest the illegal policies of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Many of our community members, families, coworkers and students have been detained illegally, without warrants. One of our students from a local school was abducted with her parents while trying to seek medical attention. Our school communities and staff are here to protect and care for our students and families. We stand with our students and families. We stand with our schools and communities. We stand with ALL children.
OSEA joins other local and national unions in response to these actions, by advocating for policies that protect students and families in the educational setting, medical facilities and in places of worship. We advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship. We join our other unions and stand against militarized policing in our communities, and continue to fight for human and civil rights, and social and racial justice that every human being deserves.
The time is always right to do what is right. - Martin Luther King Jr.
In solidarity with our union siblings and all human beings.
OSEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS