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Pearl District protests turn ‘destructive,’ 2 arrested

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police say they arrested two people during a protest in the Pearl District Saturday night.

Dozens marched in response to immigration policy under the Biden administration, according to social media posts.

Police said the group gathered at and marched from The Fields Park on Northwest Overton Street, at around 9 p.m.

The demonstration lasted over two hours.

Businesses in the district have been coated with graffiti decrying police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Demonstrators also broke windows at some businesses.

A Chipotle on Northwest Lovejoy Street had its windows smashed out at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday while customers were still inside.

Other businesses caught in the damage include a Starbucks, an Urban Pantry and an Umpqua Bank.

As protesters chanted for police to “go home,” residents shouted at protesters from their balconies to “go home.”

At around 10 p.m., Portland Police Bureau deemed the demonstration “destructive” and demanded crowds to “immediately stop participating in criminal activity.” They said failure to adhere to this order may result in detention, citation, arrest, or use of crowd control agents.

Police said they were limited to addressing criminal behavior among the protesters due to several shootings that had occurred around the city while the demonstration was going on.

Darrell Kimberlin booking photo from October 2020 courtesy MCSO

Police arrested 31-year-old Darrell Kimberlin on a first-degree criminal mischief charge. He was issued a criminal citation and released due to current COVID-19 booking restrictions at the Multnomah County Detention Center. This is the third time Kimberlin has been arrested during Portland protests. He was also arrested on Jan. 20, 2021 and Sept. 28, 2020.

They also arrested a 17-year-old boy on charges of interfering with a peace officer and third-degree escape. He was released to his parents and will have a future hearing date.

Investigations say future arrests related to this protest are possible. Anyone with information about vandalized property should contact crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 21-680281.

Anyone who believes they were a victim during the protest and who has not reported it yet can make a report online or by calling (503) 823-3333.