5 arrested at Portland State as students protest conservative activist
On May 5, 2025, police arrested five individuals during a protest at Portland State University against conservative speaker Riley Gaines, who advocates for excluding transgender women from women's sports. The event saw over 100 attendees, with Gaines discussing her controversial views on the topic. Following attempts by protesters to force their way into the venue, PSU's Campus Public Safety Office sought assistance from the Portland Police Bureau for crowd control. Event attendee Eliza Davis highlighted the importance of fairness in sports, while Finn Cunningham from the student organizing group condemned Gaines’s rhetoric as anti-trans. The university reaffirmed its support for free speech, stating it must remain neutral in such debates.
The protest reflected broader tensions regarding transgender rights in athletics, as stakeholders on both sides voiced their concerns. This event underscores the ongoing clash between free speech and social justice in educational settings. The arrests signal a growing need for law enforcement at such heated gatherings.