(OCTOBER 25, 2025) Many thousands of people gathered in cities across Oregon on October 18, 2025, for the “No Kings” protests. These large demonstrations were organized nationally to oppose what critics call the authoritarian policies of President Donald Trump.
The name “No Kings” is used because the president and his allies have sometimes used language that suggests he is like a king. Protesters across the country are speaking out against the Trump administration's efforts to deport large numbers of immigrants and send the National Guard to U.S. cities, including Portland. This movement first held major protests nationwide in June 2025, with organizers estimating millions of participants in thousands of cities.
In Oregon, the protests took place in dozens of towns and cities, such as Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Prineville. In Portland, the main event was very large, drawing an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people. Many people started at Pioneer Courthouse Square or the Oregon Convention Center and marched through downtown to Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
The protests throughout the day were generally peaceful. Many attendees dressed in fun, colorful costumes, like inflatable frogs and bananas. This cheerful style was meant to show that the city is not “war ravaged,” as some administration officials have claimed. Protesters chanted slogans like “ICE out of Portland.”
In Salem, over 1,000 people gathered at the State Capitol for the No Kings event. However, there was also a smaller, separate rally happening there at the same time. This group sought to recall the Democratic Governor, Tina Kotek, and supported policies that run counter to the No Kings movement. These two groups kept conflicts to a minimum.
The peaceful day in Oregon ended late Saturday evening in Portland with a conflict at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. A smaller group of about 500 protesters gathered there to continue speaking out against deportations. Federal officers used tear gas, flash-bangs, and pepper balls on the nonviolent crowd to clear the building’s driveway. The use of force was substantial enough that the ICE building was hidden by smoke. After the chemical agents stopped, some protesters began dancing again in the street before the crowd eventually left as the rain grew heavier.