Many places that are perceived to be liberal have been nicknamed “The People’s Republic of——,” in a mocking imitation of The People’s Republic of China. The city of Portland has been nicknamed the “People’s Republic of Portland” since at least 1997, when it was said that developers used the term.
 
A brand/apparel company also uses the name “the people’s republic of portland” (PROP).
 
   
Wikipedia: Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the U.S. state of Oregon, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States. Portland is Oregon’s most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest region, after Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Approximately 2,260,000 people live in the Portland metropolitan area (MSA), the 23rd most populous in the United States.
 
Urban Dictionary
People’s Republic of Portland
nickname of Portland—it got the nickname because the city is very liberal.
People’s Republic of Portland is located on the Left Coast.
by Jit Nov 5, 2004
 
the people’s republic of portland
The people’s republic of portland (PROP) is a brand/apparel company celebrating progressive cities and their culture, starting with Portland, OR. We are dedicated to social, environmental and economic initiatives that benefit the people and the planet and we’re building a network of like-minded individuals proud and committed to wearing our clothing and paying tribute to their city.
 
2 January 1997, USA Today, “Portland, Ore., is growing ‘up, not out’” by Andrea Stone, pg. 4A:
Developers and others who oppose central planning have dubbed this the “People’s Republic of Portland.”
 
New York (NY) Times
On the Avowed Left Coast, a Feeling of Being Left Out
By DEAN E. MURPHY
Published: November 4, 2004
(...)
In Portland, Ore., a city so staunchly liberal that it is sometimes called the People’s Republic of Portland, the outcome of the presidential race was absorbed with the levity of a mass funeral.
   
USA Today
The chi of Portland: High weirdness in Nirvana
Posted 5/5/2008 1:00 PM
By Joseph B. Frazier, Associated Press Writer
(...)
Portland has been called The People’s Republic of Portland (land-use rules irk some developers) Beervana, (it’s loaded with microbreweries), the Rose City (they are nearly worshipped here) and Sin City, a salute, of sorts, to its frontier past and recent bouts of permissiveness that some people find a bit much. Others just shrug. That’s Portland.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF PORTLAND
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 040. US 100 103 106. G & S: Imprinting messages on T-shirts
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 01.01.03 - Star - a single star with five points
Serial Number 78966589
Filing Date September 3, 2006
Current Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition October 23, 2007
Owner (APPLICANT) Lovett, Dermod M. INDIVIDUAL IRELAND 7232 N Vincent Ave. Portland OREGON 97217
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “PORTLAND” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of a star above the words the people’s republic of portland.
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date July 16, 2008