When we scheduled our February Action Night, “The Dangers of Tear  Gas,” we did not realize how timely the event would be. Federal agents have once again escalated the use of chemical munitions in Portland, including tear-gassing a peaceful, daytime march organized by labor unions, which led Mayor Wilson to urge ICE agents to “resign.” Our February Action Night will feature a short film on tear gas, a talk by City Councilor Sameer Kanal on proposed limits to chemical munitions by the City of Portland, and a panel discussion.

How does tear gas impact our bodies? How does tear gas impact our environment and the wildlife that make Portland their home? How have people worked within the judicial system to try and make change? These are questions raised in “Gas Me, Teddy”, an eleven‑minute documentary that examines the deployment of tear gas during the 2020 Portland protests for black lives and draws connections to the current situation at the Portland ICE facility.

After the film screening, City Councilor Kanal will speak about forthcoming chemical‑munitions legislation. 

The discussion continues with a panel featuring:

• Taishona Carpenter, board president of Don’t  Shoot PDX
• Erika Maria Mosesón, MD, MA, Air Health Our Health
• Chris Wise, protest medic
• Sandy Chung, Oregon ACLU
• Brenna Bell, environmental attorney

Our February Action Night is co‑sponsored by Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility.

You can watch the film trailer here .