Columbia Sportswear’s store in downtown Portland closed on Saturday after it faced organized demonstrations. The protests came after CEO Tim Boyle said his company was exploring closing its nearby downtown office because of safety concerns.
The offices house Sorel’s headquarters and 50 employees work at the location. The area has a large amount of homeless congregating in the area.
According to the Oregonian, tensions have escalated after Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler directed officials to ramp up enforcement of the city’s “no-sit” policy that prohibits people from sitting or loitering along some commercial corridors in the city. Critics charge such policies target homeless women and men.
The Columbia store reopened on Sunday.
