Violence erupted in Portland on Sunday when right-wing demonstrators protested outside The Sports Bra, a women's sports bar, over its decision to ask customers to leave for wearing anti-trans sports apparel. Counter-protesters confronted the demonstrators, and the situation rapidly deteriorated with pepper spray deployed, objects thrown, and physical altercations occurring. The confrontation escalated when right-wing activists retreated to a nearby Fred Meyer grocery store, where further violence ensued, including property damage and continued assaults.

The incident originated on 6 September when the bar asked patrons wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts—a brand advocating for biological-sex-based separation in women's sports—to cover up or leave the establishment. Approximately two weeks later, right-wing activists organised a protest outside the bar but encountered counter-protesters defending it. Portland Police responded at around 3:30pm and employed de-escalation techniques with the two opposing groups. Videos and eyewitness accounts documented pepper spray being used by both sides, objects being thrown by counter-protesters at retreating activists, and at least one physical altercation involving a journalist. A news reporter was also struck by mace whilst attempting to gather comment from the protesters.