As Portlanders start their week under gray skies and light rain, the city remains on edge while awaiting a federal appeals court ruling on whether President Trump can deploy the National Guard to local streets. The decision could come any day — and in the meantime, Portlanders are making their voices heard in uniquely Portland ways.
Naked Bike Ride Becomes a Symbol of Protest
This past weekend saw one of the city’s most unusual demonstrations yet — an “emergency” World Naked Bike Ride organized in response to the potential military deployment. Hundreds of participants took to Portland’s streets and bike lanes, many of them in various states of undress, cycling past the ICE facility in South Portland and through downtown in a show of defiance and absurdist humor.
The event capped off several days of marches, rallies, and small confrontations with police. While tensions occasionally flared, the overall atmosphere leaned more toward Portland’s signature blend of protest art, eccentricity, and civic engagement. Participants waved signs opposing militarization, chanted for peace, and turned the ride into both a spectacle and a message — that the city’s resistance would not be silenced, even under threat of federal intervention.
Also Read
A Weekend of Demonstrations and Community Energy
Despite a heavy police presence, much of the weekend unfolded peacefully. Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility — the same site that has seen repeated demonstrations since the early 2020s. There were reports of music, street dancing, and occasional verbal exchanges with officers, but no major violence was recorded.
By Monday morning, Portlanders returned to work — soaked from the rain but unshaken. Many said the weekend reflected the city’s enduring identity: part activism, part performance art, and always deeply rooted in political expression.
Broader Stories Shaping the Northwest
While protests drew national attention, other important stories are unfolding across the Pacific Northwest.
1. Uncovering the Legacy of Native Boarding Schools
Gabriann “Abby” Hall, a Klamath Tribes member, has emerged as a leading researcher on the painful history of federal Native American boarding school policies. Her work revisits the story of her grandmother, Marilyn Mae Mitchell, who attended the Canyonville Bible Academy in Douglas County — one of many institutions that forcibly assimilated Indigenous children.
Hall’s research has helped bring long-overdue recognition to families whose histories were erased by these programs, sparking broader discussions about truth and reconciliation across Oregon.
2. Winter Weather Advisory for the Cascades
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory stretching from Southwest Washington down to Oakridge in Lane County. The advisory remains in effect through early Monday, with warnings of icy passes and snowfall at higher elevations. Motorists have been urged to use chains and exercise caution when crossing the Cascades.
3. Oregon State Football Shake-Up
In sports news, Oregon State University has fired head coach Trent Bray after a dismal 0-7 start to the season — the program’s worst since 1991. Robb Akey will serve as interim head coach as the school launches a national search for Bray’s replacement.
Spotlight on the Northwest
Across the broader region, local stories capture the unique diversity of life in the Pacific Northwest:
-
Gig Harbor’s “Scrapyard Fight Club” offers a gritty, underground look at combat sports culture.
-
Portland cartoonist Tom Toro releases a new collection of cartoons featured in The New Yorker.
-
Southern Oregon’s historic skate park gets a concrete facelift while preserving its community spirit.
-
Idaho invests $3 million in combating invasive quagga mussels threatening waterways.
-
Eugene police arrest seven suspects linked to a burglary targeting an Asian American household.
-
Seattle Mariners open the ALCS with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, fueled by Raleigh’s home run and Polanco’s two RBIs.
From the Abbey to the Taproom: Faith and Fermentation
In Mount Angel, Oregon, faith and craft beer blend at the Benedictine Brewery, located within Mount Angel Abbey. Founded in 1882 by Swiss monks and rebuilt after a fire in 1892, the abbey has become home to Oregon’s only monastic brewery.
Father Martin, the brewer and general manager, oversees production of about 230 barrels of beer annually, drawing on centuries-old Benedictine traditions. “After the fall of the Roman Empire, monks were the brewers of their time,” he explained.
Before opening the taproom each day, Father Martin blesses the space with holy water and prayer, calling it the “secret ingredient” behind their beer. For locals and visitors alike, it’s more than a brewery — it’s a spiritual experience infused with Oregon craftsmanship.
OPB’s “Think Out Loud” Lineup
Listeners can tune into OPB Radio’s “Think Out Loud” at noon and 8 p.m. for in-depth discussions on Oregon culture and current events. Today’s topics include:
-
The fate of a Newport retiree’s massive fossil collection, too large for local museums.
-
A look inside Portland’s Stage Fright Festival, celebrating queer horror in live theater.
The Week Ahead
As Portland braces for the court’s decision on the National Guard deployment, city leaders and residents alike are preparing for whatever comes next. Whether through marches, music, or naked bike rides, Portland continues to embody its defiant and creative spirit — a reminder that protest here often looks like art, and resistance often comes with a smile.
For now, all eyes remain on the federal appeals court, where a single ruling could determine whether troops roll into the city — or whether Portlanders will once again chart their own path through protest, rain, and resilience.
