PORTLAND, Ore. — Two men were arrested Saturday night during a protest near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland’s South Waterfront district, marking the latest in a series of demonstrations that have resulted in nearly 50 arrests since early June, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).
Authorities said an Incident Command Team was activated to coordinate the police response. The deployment included Dialogue Liaison Officers (DLOs), who act as non-enforcement communicators between police and protesters; the Rapid Response Team (RRT); the Air Support Unit; and a PPB Sound Truck used for public safety announcements.
Assault Report Leads to Arrests
During the event, officers were alerted by participants that a man had been assaulted near South Bancroft Street and South Bond Avenue, close to the ICE facility where protests have been ongoing for months. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported the injured man to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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Investigators later identified Harold Alston Smith, 32, of Portland, as the suspect in the assault. Smith was arrested and charged with Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Police also cited Brian Wesley Crowell-Drogt, 33, of Beaverton, who was determined to be the victim in the initial altercation but also involved in the fight. Because he remained hospitalized, he was issued a criminal citation for the same charge, which requires a court appearance within 30 days and carries the same legal weight as an arrest.
The Portland Police Bureau emphasized that the investigation into the incident remains active and that additional charges could be filed pending review of evidence, including surveillance and body-camera footage.
49 Arrests Since June
Saturday’s arrests bring the total number of people arrested in connection with protest activity near the ICE facility to 49 since June, according to PPB data. Demonstrations in the area have varied in size and focus but often center on immigration policies, detention conditions, and federal enforcement practices.
While the protests have generally remained peaceful, some events have required police intervention due to reports of property damage, vandalism, and physical altercations among participants.
The bureau reiterated that while the Portland Police do not conduct immigration enforcement, officers are required to maintain public safety and uphold state law, as outlined in Directive 810.10, which governs interactions with federal agencies and protest-related incidents.
Coordination and Ongoing Response
Police credited the coordinated response between city and state agencies for maintaining safety during the protest. PPB thanked Portland Fire & Rescue and the Oregon State Police for their assistance in providing emergency support and monitoring crowd activity.
In a statement, PPB said officers will continue to track ongoing demonstrations and pursue follow-up investigations when criminal activity is reported.
“Just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, that does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later,” the bureau said.
Authorities are encouraging demonstrators to remain peaceful and reminding the public that freedom of expression must be balanced with community safety.
The protests at the South Waterfront ICE facility show no sign of slowing, and law enforcement officials say they are prepared for continued activity in the weeks ahead as the city continues to navigate the intersection of activism, law enforcement, and public safety.
