Saturday started as a day of peaceful demonstration across Portland, but tensions quickly escalated outside a federal immigration building.
Tear gas filled the air as protesters clashed with police, highlighting the volatile atmosphere surrounding the nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ rallies against former President Donald Trump.
Peaceful March Turns Confrontational
Earlier in the day, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Oregon’s largest city in a show of solidarity.
The crowd marched peacefully through downtown and Waterfront Park, waving banners that read “No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings.”
But as the march approached the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, the mood shifted.
Videos from the scene captured protesters wearing gas masks and goggles, taunting a line of advancing officers as clouds of tear gas drifted through the industrial district.
Authorities fired crowd-control munitions after repeated orders to clear the streets were ignored.
Arrests and Police Response
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) confirmed that three people were detained in connection with alleged assaults during the protest.
One individual was arrested and booked into jail, while two others remain under investigation.
Officials released a photo of a handcuffed suspect beside a patrol car, though the person’s identity has not been disclosed.
An Incident Management Team, led by a Crowd Management Incident Commander, was activated to handle the situation.
Police also used sound trucks to issue warnings:
“If you stay in the street, you may be arrested or cited for applicable laws.”
“Failure to comply with officer orders may subject you to crowd control measures, including impact munitions or other physical force.”
Nationwide Protests Draw Massive Crowds
Portland was just one of more than 2,500 locations across the U.S. where protesters gathered.
From Chicago to Los Angeles, Americans rallied under the ‘No Kings Day’ banner, positioning themselves against what organizers describe as Trump’s “crusade against immigrants, healthcare, and free speech.”
In Los Angeles, police declared an unlawful assembly near the Metropolitan Detention Center, deploying tear gas and nonlethal rounds after daytime demonstrations had remained largely peaceful.
The LAPD warned the crowd on social media to leave the area or face possible arrest.
High-Profile Voices Join the Movement
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson fired up a massive crowd, accusing Trump of seeking a “Civil War rematch.”
He urged Americans to “defend democracy” and confront authoritarianism head-on.
Meanwhile, actors Jack Black and John Cusack were seen marching alongside citizens, while Senators Bernie Sanders, Raphael Warnock, Chris Murphy, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker spoke at rallies nationwide.
Cusack addressed the crowd in Chicago, warning Trump against using troops to create chaos, while Sanders in Washington, D.C., criticized what he called an orchestrated assault on civil liberties.
Warnock in Atlanta accused the former president of “weaponizing despair.”
Political Reactions and Security Measures
The protests also drew sharp criticism from Republican leaders.
House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the rallies a “hate America protest” filled with extremists.
Meanwhile, governors across several states mobilized security forces in anticipation of unrest.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed to “surge forces” into Austin, while Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin activated the National Guard, emphasizing zero tolerance for property destruction or violence.
Even in states untouched by unrest, law enforcement remained on high alert, wary of potential copycat demonstrations.
A Movement Against Authoritarianism
Despite the clashes in some cities, organizers of the ‘No Kings Day’ protests had consistently urged participants to remain calm, highlighting their commitment to de-escalation and safety.
While moments of confrontation made headlines, the broader movement reflects a widespread, impassioned stand against what protesters describe as authoritarian tendencies and threats to civil liberties across the nation.