Before Los Angeles, there was Portland, Oregon. In 2020, the city became a battleground for over 170 days of intense protests against police violence. The iconic scenes included peaceful lie-ins on the Burnside Bridge and marches featuring NBA personalities, juxtaposed with the toppling of statues and looting. The federal response, involving 750 Department of Homeland Security agents who operated without state or local approval, only intensified the discord, grabbing protesters and whisking them away in unmarked vehicles.

With recent anti-Trump rallies reigniting across the nation, Portland officials are on high alert, aiming to avoid a repeat of 2020’s chaos. "The overreaction from both the Portland police and federal agents back then actually fueled the protests," recalled Ali King, a seasoned social organizer in Portland. "Seeing the recent events in LA, it just brought it all back, the sense of injustice."

The aftershocks of the 2020 protests reshaped Portland significantly. The city overhauled its government structure, elected a tough-on-crime district attorney, and saw major police reforms regarding protest response. Mayor Keith Wilson, elected in 2024 on a promise to tackle homelessness and boost public safety, expressed concerns about potential federal overreach. "We’ve made substantial changes since 2020, but we remain wary of federal intervention and are prepared to take legal action if necessary," he stated.

An independent review highlighted multiple failures during the 2020 protests, ranging from poor police-public communication to inadequate deescalation tactics. These findings led to significant policy shifts within the Portland Police Department. Police Chief Bob Day emphasized a new approach to managing large-scale events, focusing on not exacerbating tensions. "Our goal in public safety now is to avoid adding to the chaos," Day explained.

Despite these changes, the anxiety is palpable among city officials and police as current protests remain peaceful yet tense. The situation in nearby Seattle and Spokane is also strained, with local leaders taking strong stances against federal actions that might infringe on civil liberties.

For the community leaders and activists like King, the emphasis remains on peaceful protest and internal deescalation. "There's a collective effort to keep things calm, but we're ready to protect our city from unjust federal actions," King said.

Portland Police have noted minor disturbances in recent protests but acknowledge that the true test of the new strategies remains. Yet, the spirit of resistance that defines Portland persists, with residents and officials alike signaling a readiness to stand up against any overreach, maintaining a delicate balance between enforcing the law and protecting the rights of protesters.

As Portland navigates these complex dynamics, the city’s leaders, activists, and citizens stand united in their commitment to safeguarding their community’s identity and values against any external threats.