Portland Pays Nearly $1M to Settle Lawsuit Over 2020 Protest Crackdown

Settlement also extends policy protections for journalists and legal observers through 2028.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The City of Portland, Oregon has agreed to pay $938,327.64 to settle a federal civil-rights lawsuit brought by nine journalists and legal observers who were injured while covering the 2020 George Floyd protests. The settlement also extends existing policy protections for journalists and legal observers in Portland through the end of 2028.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the media when it comes to covering protests and civil unrest. The settlement underscores the importance of press freedoms and the right to document police actions, which are critical for public accountability. It also represents a significant financial cost to the city stemming from its response to the 2020 protests.

The details

The federal lawsuit, filed in June 2020, alleged that Portland police repeatedly used force such as rubber projectiles, tear gas, and flash-bangs against journalists and legal observers who were documenting the 2020 protests. As part of the settlement, the city agreed to maintain its existing policy protections for media and legal observers through the end of 2028. The payout will be divided among nine plaintiffs, including seven independent journalists and two ACLU volunteer legal observers.

  • The federal lawsuit was filed on June 28, 2020.
  • Portland City Council approved the $938,327.64 settlement on March 5, 2025.
  • The settlement extends policy protections for journalists and legal observers through December 31, 2028.

The players

Keith Wilson

The mayor of Portland who introduced the emergency ordinance to approve the settlement.

Kelly Simon

The legal director of the ACLU of Oregon, which represented the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Tuck Woodstock, Sergio Olmos, Justin Yau, Brian Conley, Alex Tracy, Mathieu Lewis-Rolland, John Rudoff, Doug Brown, Kat Mahoney

The nine journalists and legal observers who were plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the City of Portland.

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What they’re saying

“Our right to record the police in public is a critical part of police accountability.”

— Kelly Simon, Legal Director, ACLU of Oregon

What’s next

The settlement is intended to fully resolve the federal civil-rights lawsuit against the City of Portland, marking the end of this particular case. However, the city continues to face scrutiny over its handling of protests and the use of force by law enforcement, including recent reports of federal agents using tear gas near Portland's ICE building in January 2026.

The takeaway

This settlement underscores the high financial and reputational costs that cities can face when law enforcement uses excessive force against journalists and legal observers documenting protests. It also highlights the importance of protecting press freedoms and the public's right to hold police accountable through documentation, even in the midst of civil unrest.