Overview

• Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and critic of transgender inclusion in women's sports, spoke at Portland State University on May 5, 2025, as part of 'The American Comeback Tour' with Charlie Kirk.
• Protests organized by student groups, including PSU Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights, escalated outside the Smith Memorial Student Union, with demonstrators expressing support for transgender rights.
• Portland Police Bureau reported five arrests for various crimes after protesters attempted to force entry into the building where Gaines was speaking.
• Footage shared online showed tense interactions between protesters and police, with demonstrators shouting slogans critical of law enforcement and Gaines' views.
• Gaines' speech proceeded under police protection, and her tour is set to continue with additional stops on the West Coast.