Five people were arrested at Portland State University on Monday night after protests erupted during a speech by former college swimmer and transgender athlete critic Riley Gaines. The event, held at the Smith Memorial Student Union, drew dozens of demonstrators who lined the sidewalk outside, many holding signs in support of transgender rights.
Video footage shared on social media showed protesters attempting to force open doors to the venue as police worked to keep them out. In one clip, students can be heard shouting expletives at officers. Gaines later retweeted the video, commenting on the protesters' behaviour.
Police were called to the campus around 7 p.m. to assist with crowd control. Authorities confirmed that five individuals were arrested for various crimes, though their names and specific charges have not yet been released. It is unclear if those arrested were university students.
Several student groups, including “PSU Students United for Palestine Equal Rights,” had organised protests against Gaines’ visit. The university stated that the event was not affiliated with Portland State University. Gaines’ speech was not publicly broadcast.
Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer, gained prominence after tying for fifth place in the 200-yard final against transgender athlete Lia Thomas. She has since filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging violations of Title IX rights by allowing Thomas to compete in the 2022 national championships.
