PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A Portland man has been charged with fourth-degree assault after allegedly punching a woman in the head as she tried to leave a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility over the weekend.
The Incident
According to court documents, the woman told police she and her daughter had attended Saturday’s demonstration and were walking to their parked car when counter-protesters surrounded the vehicle, preventing them from leaving.
As she got out of the car to assess the situation, one of the counter-protesters — later identified as Harold Alston Smith, 32 — reportedly struck her in the head, knocking her to the ground.
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The responding officer documented her injuries, noting that her ear was bloodied and swollen, and that her pants were soiled with dirt consistent with a fall.
Video Evidence Confirms Attack
Police later obtained video footage of the incident that corroborated the woman’s account. The video showed Smith standing behind the vehicle and swinging at the woman, who then fell to the ground after being struck.
Smith, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 245 pounds, was arrested and arraigned Monday on a charge of fourth-degree assault. He was later released from jail pending future court proceedings.
Repeat Offender at the ICE Facility
This is not Smith’s first brush with the law at Portland’s ICE facility. Court documents reveal he was previously arrested on October 9 for harassment during another demonstration at the same location.
In that earlier case, Smith allegedly confronted a protester, grabbed a walking stick out of his hands, and threw it over a fence. Video evidence showed Smith telling the protester he could “take whatever he wants” before swinging the stick and discarding it.
Ongoing Tensions at Portland ICE Protests
The ICE facility in South Portland has been the center of repeated protests and counter-protests over immigration policies and federal enforcement actions. Demonstrations there frequently draw large crowds, with interactions between protesters and counter-protesters occasionally turning violent.
The recent string of arrests, including Smith’s, highlights the continuing volatility surrounding the site. Authorities have called for calm and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful while exercising their First Amendment rights.
Police continue to review evidence related to last weekend’s incident, including videos and eyewitness statements, as part of their ongoing investigation.
Smith is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
