‘Dying for a Fight’ Episode 2: A fight brews

By OPB staff (OPB)
Sept. 20, 2021 4:26 p.m.
A crowd of demonstrators gathered at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Jan. 20, 2017, and began marching through downtown Portland in protest of the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

A crowd of demonstrators gathered at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Jan. 20, 2017, and began marching through downtown Portland in protest of the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Amelia Templeton / OPB

Portland had been a hotbed for political clashes between the far left and the far right for years before 2020. Sean Kealiher was among the people who regularly took to the streets to fight — sometimes physically — with people who opposed Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements. We look at who was in the streets leading up to one of the most significant years in American protests, and what brought them there.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
00:00
 / 
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sustainer now at opb.org and help ensure OPB’s fact-based reporting, in-depth news and engaging programs thrive in 2025 and beyond.
We’ve gone to incredible places together this year. Support OPB’s essential coverage and exploration in 2025 and beyond. Join as a monthly Sustainer now or with a special year-end contribution. 
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: