PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Newly released court documents are shedding light on last week’s chaotic protests outside Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility — an event that led to the arrests of conservative influencer Nick Sortor and two others.
According to probable cause filings in the case against Angela Davis, police relied in part on information from confidential reliable sources (CRS) embedded within the protest crowd to reconstruct what happened during the altercation on South Moody Avenue.
Incident Unfolds on South Moody Avenue
The CRS reported seeing a white man in his 30s, later identified as Nick Sortor, walking in the middle of the street with a cell phone and bright light aimed at protesters’ faces. According to the source, Sortor appeared to be recording reactions and “attempting to elicit a negative response” from the crowd.
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Court documents state that as Sortor moved closer to film, a person dressed in black stepped between him and a group of demonstrators, triggering a confrontation that quickly escalated into yelling, pushing, and shoving.
During the scuffle, another protester — identified as Son Mi Yi — was seen holding an umbrella painted with the letters “ACAB” (an anti-police acronym). Mi Yi allegedly shoved the umbrella toward Sortor’s face and camera, obstructing his filming.
In response, Sortor reportedly grabbed the umbrella, tore it from Mi Yi’s hands, and threw it aside before sprinting across the street as a group of protesters began following him.
“Bird Woman” Identified as Angela Davis
As Sortor fled, police say Angela Davis, 49, who was dressed in a bird costume covered in feathers, chased after him while swinging a large feather-covered stick. According to court filings, Davis pursued Sortor down the street, and at one point, he tripped and fell as the group continued shouting.
The unusual description — a protester “dressed like a bird” — has drawn public attention to the case, highlighting the often theatrical nature of demonstrations outside Portland’s ICE facility.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Davis was booked on a second-degree disorderly conduct charge but was released from jail the same day. Jail officials told KATU her arraignment was likely delayed due to her immediate release.
Both Sortor and Mi Yi are also facing second-degree disorderly conduct charges and are scheduled to appear in court Monday at 2 p.m. Like Davis, they were released shortly after being taken into custody.
According to Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, a decision will be made before Monday’s hearing on whether to move forward with charges against Sortor. D.A. spokesman Pat Dooris confirmed that prosecutors are reviewing the evidence before making a determination.
Ongoing Investigation
The ICE facility protests have become a flashpoint for tension between conservative activists and left-leaning demonstrators. Law enforcement officials say they continue to investigate several incidents from the night, including potential assaults and property damage.
While no serious injuries were reported, police describe the confrontation as part of a pattern of escalating clashes at the South Waterfront site — where nightly demonstrations have persisted for weeks.
As the city braces for additional protests, officials say they are reviewing tactics to keep the peace while ensuring constitutional rights are protected on both sides.
