PORTLAND, Ore. — Protesters rallied against the Trump administration in Portland, unveiling the city’s renowned quirky spirit during an emergency edition of the World Naked Bike Ride. This unique protest took place on a Sunday as participants pedaled through the streets, clad in little more than their birthday suits, aiming to express their dissent towards the federal government's decision to mobilize troops amid the unrest.
In recent days, crowds had formed near an immigration facility in the city, embracing the absurd in a colorful array of costumes including inflatable frogs, unicorns, and bananas, while facing off with federal law enforcement armed with tear gas and pepper balls. With the typical summer bike ride postponed, organizers believed another nudist protest was necessary in light of President Trump's attempts to dispatch the National Guard to quell the protests.
Celebrating the ride, Janene King expressed her belief that this was the quintessential Portland way to protest, as she enjoyed a warm cup of tea in the chilly mid-50s (approximately 12 degrees Celsius) weather, humorously adorned only in wool socks, a wig, and a hat.
We definitely do not want troops coming into our city, King proclaimed, echoing the sentiments of many participants. The cyclists navigated their way towards the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, where authorities maintained a strict policy, instructing protesters to avoid the streets or face possible arrests.
The event took place as the city awaited a ruling from an appeals court regarding Trump's authority to send federalized troops, following a federal court's temporary hold on their deployment earlier in October. Organizers of the ride utilized social media to communicate their message: Joy is a form of protest; being together with mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest, inviting others to wear as much or as little as they wished.
Though fewer participants were fully nude than in previous years, likely due to the inclement weather, some brave individuals still rode entirely bare, save for their bike helmets. Typically, these naked bike rides have seen participation in upwards of 10,000 riders, becoming a hallmark of Portland's lively culture since their inception in 2004.
Portland continues to exemplify its unique blend of protest and community spirit, embracing creativity even in the face of federal intervention.
