Oregon Protesters Accused of Barricading Doors and Striking Officers During Chaotic South Portland ICE Demonstrations
Three people appeared in court on Thursday on charges relating to protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in South Portland.
Liam Harry Houpis tried to barricade a side door of the building, clarinet player Oriana Korol, and a member of the Unpresidented Brass Band who was arrested across the street from the ICE facility, and Lisa Miyamoto, accused of striking a federal agent with her wooden tambourine.
Thirty-eight Protesters Have Been Charged Since June
Thirty-eight people have been federally charged with incidents relating to the nightly protests outside the ICE facility since June.
Charges were dismissed against three of the 38 arrested on federal felonies and misdemeanor allegations. Seven people have received sentences ranging from six months to a year of federal probation, while 10 other protesters are awaiting sentence after pleading guilty.
On Thursday, Liam Harry Louis (22) pleaded guilty to creating a hazard on federal property, a misdemeanor crime. Houpis, a line cook from Vancouver, screwed metal brackets onto a plywood door to seal a side exit of the ICE building on June 19. He was arrested on the site by ICE agents.
Houpis, who spent one night in jail, has been barred from approaching the ICE facility and will complete 40 hours of community service. He will be sentenced in January 2026.
Oriana Korol (38) pleaded not guilty to assaulting a federal officer when she interfered with the arrest of a man who fled the ICE building on October 12. The clarinet player was standing on the other side of the street when the man crashed into the band.
Lisa Miyamoto (56), accused of striking a federal officer with her wooden tambourine outside the facility in October, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
She admitted striking the ICE agent in the chest with her tambourine after he requested that she move out of the driveway serving the ICE building. She will be sentenced in February next year.