Portland settles claims of police force against journalists, legal observers from 2020 protests

Published 7:25 am Thursday, March 6, 2025

By Troy Brynelson, OPB

Massive crowds gather in Portland, Ore., for a fourth evening of protests over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis who was killed after an officer pushed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes, on June 1, 2020. Portland will pay $938,328 to nine journalists and legal observers injured by police during 2020 racial justice protests. The City Council approved the settlement 11-1.

The city of Portland has agreed to settle a lawsuit from journalists and legal volunteers who were injured by police during the city’s marathon of racial justice protests in 2020.

Portland City Council on Wednesday, March 5, voted 11-1 to pay $938,328 to the plaintiffs, which includes several reporters who covered the nightly protests that lasted more than 100 days and drew nationwide attention. There were nine plaintiffs total, including legal observers who volunteer to watch and gather information during the demonstrations.

The settlement also requires Portland Police Bureau to include clearer protections for journalists and legal observers in their policy manual until Dec. 31, 2028.

Several councilors reflected during the hearing that they supported peaceful protesters and the rights of journalists and legal observers. Some noted that more protests could be on the horizon during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Oregon Public Broadcasting is a news partner of the Portland Tribune. Their full story can be found at opb.org.

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