Anti-Fascism in Portland: A Conversation with Luis Enrique Marquez

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When the streets of Portland lit up between 2016 and 2020, the world saw nightly battles between protesters, far-right groups, and federal officers. But for longtime organizer and writer Luis Enrique Marquez, those years were less about spectacle and more about community defense. His new book, Anti-Fascist: A Memoir of the Portland Uprising, documents the lessons, contradictions, and solidarity that defined the era.

On Hard Knock Radio, Marquez sat down with Davey D to break down what went down in the Northwest—and why it matters now.

Occupy ICE and Hard Lessons

One of the most powerful flashpoints came with Occupy ICE. Portlanders set up encampments that literally shut down a regional ICE office. For Marquez, it was a turning point that showed everyday people could push back on one of the most feared agencies in the country.

“We shut down ICE here in Portland, and it showed people across the country that you could fight back.”

But there were complications. Closing a reporting site also meant some immigrants couldn’t check in, which may have sped up deportations.

“We learned hard lessons—closing a reporting site meant some people couldn’t check in. That may have sped up deportations. We had to hold that.”

Portland vs. the Feds

By summer 2020, Portland had become the testing ground for Trump’s federal surge. Night after night, protesters faced off against militarized agents. What held the line wasn’t one group or ideology—it was solidarity.

“The only reason we beat the feds was because liberals, progressives, and radicals all stood shoulder to shoulder.”

Breaking Myths, Building Culture

Marquez pushes back on corporate media narratives that paint antifascists as violent agitators.

“Breaking a window isn’t violence. Violence is the system—ICE raids, prisons, police killings.”

For him, the real story was about discipline and care: no one left behind, jail support protocols, conflict resolution, and a culture of accountability. Music also played a role—each chapter of his book opens with a playlist, because soundtracks carried people through the struggle.

Facing Fascism, Together

Marquez doesn’t mince words about the far-right. From Proud Boys brawling in Portland and Berkeley to ICE’s alignment with private security, he sees it as one ecosystem of repression.

“You can’t separate the street fascists from ICE—they’re all part of the same machine.”

Lessons for the Long Game

For Marquez, the takeaway is simple: there are no heroes, only communities defending themselves. Every role matters—whether you’re on the street, cooking meals, writing, or running jail support. And with every copy of the book sold, $10 goes to One People’s Project to continue exposing fascist networks.

“It’s not about heroes—it’s about communities defending themselves… We defend each other.”

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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