Hundreds braced frigid conditions in Downtown Portland on Saturday, as part of the nationwide People’s March movement ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Speakers and attendees voiced their concerns about a variety of different issues, including reproductive rights, the rights of undocumented immigration and universal health care. All are positions, they said, that could face opposition from the incoming Trump administration.

“We all know the next four years will be challenging,” said Yvonne Garcia, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. “However, we also know democracy takes immense effort and resolve. And the path is not always easy and smooth.”

Similar marches were held across the country, with President-elect Trump pursuing a wave of executive orders to take effect soon after his inauguration, especially regarding immigration. Oregon officials and immigration advocates are already preparing for the potential impacts.

While the large crowd filled most of Terry Schrunk Plaza, it paled in comparison to the Women’s March held in Portland in 2017, before Trump’s first inauguration. Tens of thousands of people attended that demonstration, making it one of the largest in Oregon history.

Unlike the previous march, which took place across downtown, the People’s March stayed in the plaza. Participants made signs and chanted various slogans, before marching around the square.

Leah Coiteux of Camas, Washington, said she attended the Women’s March in Washington D.C. in 2017, and that she was disappointed there wasn’t as large a crowd this year.

“It seemed to have a lot more energy last time,” Coiteux said. “I think it’s a little depressing that people would vote for (Trump) twice.”

Coiteux said she’s particularly concerned the Trump administration could attempt to impose more restrictions on abortions in Oregon and the rest of the country.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/18/portland-peoples-march-against-trump/