On Saturday, June 14, protests known as the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations took place in several cities across the Pacific Northwest, including Portland, Newberg, and Hillsboro.
Organizers aimed to counter a military parade planned by President Donald Trump to mark his 79th birthday.
However, as the protests unfolded, many participants shifted their focus toward immigration issues rather than the military display.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson estimated that around 50,000 individuals participated in the city’s downtown demonstration, which the Portland Police Bureau described as a large-scale free speech gathering.
Notably, there were no arrests during this primary event.
After the main gathering concluded, a smaller protest at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland led to tensions and clashes, resulting in some arrests made by federal officers and city police.
In the lead-up to the event, demonstrators expressed their concerns over recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, which had reportedly been arresting around 2,000 individuals daily.
Among those detained included a prominent church leader and business owner from Newberg, as well as a family of six from Washington state.
The escalating focus on the plight of immigrants drew many to the protests, including Marshall Cho, who attended with family members.
Cho, an immigrant himself, reflected on the negative connotations associated with the term ‘immigrant’ in current political discourse.
“This is a personal attack. It’s an attack on me. It’s an attack on my family,” he stated while rallying with others who chanted, ‘Immigrants are welcome here.’
Cho was hopeful that the protests would motivate others to stand up for vulnerable populations.
In Newberg, Oregon, where community support for President Trump was strong during the last election, Anne Mildenberger felt this protest was different.
Having organized rallies in the area since February, she noted the significant turnout and robust honking from passing cars in support.
“It’s beautiful to see my community come together,” said Jessica Garcia, who was previously protesting alone about local immigrant arrests.
As hundreds turned out to support their neighbors, their solidarity transcended political divisions.
Yamhill County Commissioner Bubba King expressed that even in a predominantly Trump-supporting region, compassion for immigrants could unify people across party lines.
In contrast, the day was filled with mixed reactions, as some drivers displayed pro-Trump sentiments while others voiced their support for the protests.
Despite peaceful demonstrations in many locations, news from Minnesota regarding a tragic shooting of state representatives weighed heavily on participants and organizers alike.
Oregon House Republican Leader Christine Drazan condemned the violence, calling it a political assassination, and local leaders echoed sentiments in solidarity against such acts.
In Portland, crowds grew as the day progressed, with over 10,000 people already gathered at Tom McCall Waterfront Park by midday.
Politicians and activists took to the stage to rally the masses, denouncing the actions of the Trump administration while chanting slogans against authoritarianism.
Reports indicated that protests also took place in cities outside of Portland, with Eugene, Medford, and even as far as Yachats showing strong participation.
Participants in these southern cities expressed a mix of emotions from hopefulness to frustration, all united by a common cause against perceived governmental overreach.
Meanwhile, preparations for the events involved heightened security measures in Portland, as police strategized their approach to ensure peace during the demonstrations.
They sought to manage tensions while monitoring the protests from a respectful distance, striving to de-escalate any potential conflicts as the protestors gathered.
Early signs of dissent included graffiti on the ICE building and heightened attention to federal responses.
For many, the protests represented a significant moment of unity and resistance amid a strained political climate.
As the various protests wrapped up, the overall sentiment remained clear: this was more than a mere gathering against President Trump’s policies; it was a rallying cry for immigration reform, community solidarity, and a stand against what many perceived as an authoritarian regime.
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