Bear mace filled the air outside The Sports Bra in Northeast Portland on Sunday afternoon as counterprotesters and right-wing demonstrators clashed in the street, sending the confrontation spilling several blocks through the neighborhood and toward a nearby Fred Meyer. A reporter covering the scene was among those hit by the chemical spray, and police eventually moved in to break up the crowd.
The Sports Bra, the Northeast Portland sports bar dedicated to broadcasting women's sports, confirmed that about a dozen people stood across the street to protest its handling of anti-trans messaging, while a few dozen counterprotesters turned out in support of the business, according to KOIN. Bear mace was used on people defending the bar, and KOIN reporter Ariel Salk said she was maced herself while covering the clash. Police arrived after counterprotesters followed the right-wing demonstrators down several blocks, and the group ultimately walked away once the mace was heavily deployed.
The tension traces back to Sept. 6, when five patrons wearing shirts from XX-XY Athletics were asked by Sports Bra staff to cover the apparel or leave after other customers reported feeling unsafe, according to the Washington Times. Video of that exchange helped turn a local dispute into a national flashpoint. That same afternoon, eight people from the same group, including Sousa, were also ejected from a Portland Thorns FC match against the Washington Spirit at Providence Park, with venue officials citing a violation of stadium guidelines over unapproved materials — a claim the ejected patrons disputed, per 930 WFMD.
A Second Weekend of Street Clashes
Sunday's confrontation was not the first. On Sept. 11, people with opposing viewpoints faced off outside The Sports Bra as Portland police responded to what they classified as a civil order event, per KOIN's reporting. The earlier confrontation also reached the nearby Fred Meyer, and police said they found no evidence of pepper spray when officers arrived, even though they later confirmed there were reports of it being used. Officers told everyone to stay off the street and said criminal behavior would be addressed.
The Washington Times reported that the Sept. 11 gathering drew roughly seven anti-trans demonstrators and more than 30 counterprotesters. Groups traded chants and later moved to a nearby parking lot; police monitored the scene and reviewed two chemical irritant complaints but made no arrests, citing insufficient probable cause. Local activists have said they were protesting an anti-trans demonstration at the bar, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization had accused the same right-wing activists of planning to return Sunday.
Who's Behind the Demonstrations
Local activist outlet Fight Back! News identified conservative livestreamer Thomas Allen as announcing and participating in the Sept. 11 protest. Allen previously faced 2025 Portland police charges for fourth-degree assault and second-degree disorderly conduct tied to earlier protest clashes, and was a regular presence at Portland's ICE facility.
On the other side, FRSO members participated in the counterprotests. FRSO's Holly Brown said the group will continue to fight back against hate in Portland and will keep opposing attacks on marginalized communities, attributing the demonstrators' emboldenment to President Trump. The outlet reported that FRSO demonstrators have carried banners reading “Pride means fight back” and say they intend to keep confronting anti-trans demonstrations in the city.
The Sports Bra's Response
The Sports Bra has stood by its decision to ask patrons displaying anti-trans messages to cover them or leave, saying it does not permit messages or conduct that exclude or demean others while still respecting everyone's right to express opinions in public spaces. The bar says it supports and celebrates trans girls and trans women, welcomes people of every identity and background, and remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment. It has encouraged community members to visit on game day and beyond.
A Pioneer Under National Spotlight
The Sports Bra opened in April 2022 at 25th Avenue and Broadway as a sports bar focused on women's sports, founded by chef and former basketball player Jenny Nguyen after she raised more than $105,000 through Kickstarter alongside personal savings and loans, according to Wikipedia. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and his 776 Foundation invested in the business in April 2024 to fuel national expansion, and a May 2026 Republic campaign sought $1.2 million to expand to a second Portland location, while Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and St. Louis were listed as planned franchise cities, according to Wikipedia.
A broader national surge in women's sports bars has included a dedicated women's sports bar in the Castro, as Hoodline has reported.
