The summer of 2020 saw Black Lives Matter demonstrators in Portland facing not only the usual tear gas but also an alarming new sight: green smoke billowing through the streets. This unusual gas left a greenish residue in storm drains, prompting human rights and environmental advocates to urge local authorities to investigate its potential harm. Despite their calls, no new chemical information was disclosed to the public.

Juniper L. Simonis, a volunteer medic and aquatic ecology expert, took it upon themselves to gather evidence. They searched storm drains for clues, hoping to find discarded gas canisters that could reveal the chemical's identity. To their surprise, the canisters bore labels indicating they contained a previously unseen chemical agent.

As protests continued, a routine developed between the police and demonstrators. Each night, as activists gathered outside the Justice Center, police would monitor the scene, ready to deploy various less-lethal munitions. However, following President Trump’s executive order for Operation Legend, federal agents arrived in Portland, introducing new, less detectable methods of dispersing tear gas.

While local law enforcement used handheld canisters, the federal agents employed advanced systems such as thermal foggers, which left little trace of their usage. Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau began power-washing protest sites, potentially washing harmful residues into the stormwater system.

Simonis's inquiry into the canisters intensified after they were detained and tear-gassed by federal officers. Reports from fellow medics about unusual symptoms among protesters—such as vomiting and severe skin irritation—further fueled their investigation. What began as an effort to protect demonstrators turned into the Chemical Weapons Research Consortium (CWRC), focused on identifying these new chemical agents.

Through partnerships with local labs, Simonis's research confirmed the use of hexachloroethane (HC) by federal law enforcement in Portland. This substance creates toxic clouds when heated, posing significant health risks. HC is classified as a likely carcinogen and irritant by the Environmental Protection Agency, and despite its dangers, it is marketed as a "military-style" dispersal agent.

Activists have expressed greater concern about the byproducts of HC than the agent itself, noting that its deployment creates zinc chloride—a toxic fume that poses risks to health and the environment. The chemical reaction involved is intentional, yet not mentioned in the accompanying safety documentation.

The adverse effects of zinc chloride are notably different from traditional tear gas, leading to longer-lasting health issues. Medics like Logan Krus have adapted their approaches in response to these new threats, emphasizing the need for proper protective gear during protests.

As the city conducted its own environmental assessments, results indicated elevated levels of harmful metals in stormwater near protest sites, but the mayor downplayed ongoing contamination concerns. Simonis criticized the city's testing methods, arguing that they lack thoroughness and precision.

Ongoing challenges arise from federal resistance to cooperate on chemical weapon regulations, with activists and environmental organizations seeking accountability through legal means. The lack of transparency from federal agencies hampers efforts to address the health impacts of the chemicals used.

As protests wane in the colder months, medics like Krus are preparing for future demonstrations, innovating safety measures amid ongoing public health concerns. Simonis remains vigilant, underscoring the deep mistrust that persists towards law enforcement, particularly federal agents.

“Now I don’t go around the feds without a gas mask,” Simonis asserts, reflecting the ongoing tensions and health risks faced by activists.