PORTLAND, Ore. — Thousands of Oregonians are expected to take to the streets this Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations — a coordinated series of protests pushing back against what organizers describe as President Donald Trump’s growing authoritarian policies.
Nationwide Demonstrations Against Federal Troop Deployments
The Oct. 18 protests come amid rising national attention and concerns over Trump’s calls to deploy federal troops in several Democratic-led cities. In recent weeks, the administration has announced deployments to Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington, D.C., while signaling similar intentions for Portland and Chicago — a move that has triggered widespread legal and political opposition.
Hundreds of events are planned across the country under the “No Kings” banner, including large rallies in Portland and smaller demonstrations throughout Oregon’s smaller towns. The effort is being described as one of the largest nationally coordinated protest actions of the year.
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Organizers Call for Nonviolent Action
Protest organizers have emphasized peaceful participation, urging demonstrators to engage in nonviolent acts of resistance. Groups backing the event — including Indivisible and The 50501 Movement — say their mission is to “push back against the erosion of democracy” and reaffirm that political power “belongs to the people, not any single leader.”
“America has no kings — the power belongs to the people,” reads a statement on the official No Kings website.
Demonstrations will include rallies, marches, art installations, and community gatherings across Oregon. In Portland, thousands are expected to gather at Waterfront Park before marching through downtown. Smaller towns such as Eugene, Salem, and Bend are also planning solidarity events.
Political Reactions and Backlash
Not everyone supports the movement. Prominent Republican lawmakers have denounced the protests, labeling them as anti-government and divisive. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the gatherings, calling them “hate America rallies.”
“They have a hate America rally that’s scheduled for Oct. 18 on the National Mall,” Johnson said, referring to the Washington, D.C. demonstration. “It’s all the pro-Hamas wing, and the antifa people — they’re all coming out.”
Despite the criticism, organizers insist the protests are patriotic acts of civic participation. “Our goal is to defend democracy and reject authoritarianism,” said one local organizer in Portland. “This movement is about restoring balance and reminding those in power that they serve the people — not the other way around.”
A Growing Protest Movement in Oregon
The “No Kings” demonstrations follow months of organized political action in Oregon. In April, thousands marched to protest Trump’s continued influence in federal affairs and his reported collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk on policy initiatives. A similar protest in June drew large crowds across the state.
With another round of demonstrations planned this weekend, Oregon is once again poised to become a focal point of national attention.
As one Portland resident preparing to march put it: “We’re not out here because we hate America. We’re out here because we love it — and we won’t stand by while democracy is chipped away.”
The No Kings protests begin Saturday morning across Oregon and other states, with participants vowing to make their voices heard peacefully and powerfully.
