(Salem, OR) On Thursday, January 29th at approximately 11:00am, a worker and SEIU 503 member was pulled out of her car and assaulted by four individuals identifying themselves as federal law enforcement agents while she was driving alone in Salem. 
 


The member – whose first name is Maria (we are withholding her last name for her safety) –  is a U.S. citizen. She reported being followed for several blocks by an unmarked vehicle that did not have license plates. The vehicle pulled up, stopped in front of her, while another vehicle parked behind her, boxing her in so she could not drive away. Four masked agents – one woman and three men – wearing vests marked “POLICE” exited their vehicles. One of them banged on her window, demanding that she show them “papers.”  
 


When Maria did not immediately respond, the agents shattered her car window, forcibly removed her from the vehicle and threw her to the ground, causing numerous injuries. The agents emptied her purse, discovered her passport, then left Maria there without seeking medical attention for her.  
 
Maria feared for her life – she has severe asthma and is medically fragile. Because of her condition, she was worried about what would happen if she got tear gassed.  


Once the agents left the scene, Maria reached out to the police and to her daughter. Her daughter happened to be talking with union representatives at the time, and union staff were able to provide Maria and her family with support.  
 


Salem police, however, did nothing when they were called. Rather than follow up with an injured woman who had been assaulted, the police said she needed to contact the FBI since the attackers were federal employees. Our local law enforcement should be supporting our community, particularly when people report being assaulted, regardless of the circumstances.  
 


Through the support of her daughter, her union, and legal observers through Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC), Maria was able to get to the hospital for treatment. Maria was treated for a concussion, a torn rotator cuff and bruised ribs and was released from the hospital on Thursday night.  
 


At the time of the incident, Maria was on her way to pay the rent and buy a cake for her grandson’s birthday. 
 


“No one should be dragged from their car, injured, and terrorized for who they are or where they come from,” said Johnny Earl, President of SEIU Local 503. “Immigrant workers are the backbone of our communities and our economy, and they deserve dignity, safety, and respect, not violence and fear. Labor will not be silent while workers are harmed. We demand accountability and answers.” 
 


The union has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover medical costs and the expense of fixing their damaged car window. The union is encouraging community members to support the family through that fund, and to stand together against the targeting of workers and immigrant communities. 



A community action, led by several Labor Unions, calling for accountability and an end to ICE violence will take place this afternoon, January 31st at 3:00 p.m. at Elizabeth Caruthers Park in Portland.