My name is Lashawnda Shavers, and I am a 49-year-old resident of Gray's Landing, a low-income affordable housing building directly across the street from the federal ICE facility on Macadam Ave. I have been negatively impacted by ICE/DHS’s abuses of the community and am now facing potential eviction for speaking out.

I suffer from a serious autoimmune disorder called Goodpasture syndrome, or anti-GBM disorder. This condition attacks the tiny blood vessels in my lungs and kidneys. This is not a theoretical risk for me. In August of 2012, I suffered complete lung failure and for more than 20 days, I was placed on an ECMO bypass machine at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas.

Since late May, when the demonstrations began, the federal employees have repeatedly exited their secure, locked gate and perimeter to deploy tear gas directly onto our city streets. From what I have personally observed, there has never been a large crowd that has breached their secured perimeter. It is when federal employees exit and lock the gate behind them that they begin to attack our city streets, showing no regard for the residents of the 209 units at Gray's Landing.

This is unacceptable. The tear gas does not stay confined to the street; it seeps into our homes and into the air we breathe. For me, exposure to these chemicals is not just an irritation—it is a direct threat to my health and can lead to severe complications, including lung damage and kidney failure. But this is not just about me. Directly on the southwest corner of our building, where much of the tear gas is deployed, live two families with children under the age of 10. These children are being exposed to the same chemicals in their own homes.

As the only low-income building in the immediate vicinity of this facility, the majority of us don't have the funds to go to a hotel or find another place to stay when we are affected by the tear gas, which happens after dark. Gray's Landing has no central air conditioning. Residents with portable air conditioners, who must have their exhaust tubing outside a window, are forced to pull them in and close their windows. This makes it impossible to cool our homes and can lead to overheating and other physical effects. For many residents with already fragile health, and for these young children, this creates a dangerous situation. Our building's management, Reach Community Development, knows of the danger we are in, yet has failed to act. They've only placed sticky pads and air scrubbers in common areas, and their only solution for individual residents is a workshop to build our own air purifiers. This fails to protect all residents and shows a lack of concern for our well-being.

Since the demonstrations began, I have consistently filmed and recorded the actions of DHS/ICE to protect demonstrators, have spoken out and organized with my neighbors, and am now facing an eviction notice from my property management.

The day I received my eviction notice, four other Black families received the same. Gray’s Landing is discriminating against residents of color and appears to be targeting those who have spoken out against ICE.

I am asking for help with funds to fight the eviction notice - I have hired an attorney and am in need of support to continue the legal fight to stay housed. From my apartment, I am able to advocate for demonstrators and immigrants alike due to my direct vantage point of the ICE Facility. I also will continue to advocate for my neighbors and community members in Gray’s Landing and Portland alike.

Please consider donating to help me with legal fees to stay at Gray’s Landing and keep standing up against ICE.