Residents across Oregon and Southwest Washington joined thousands nationwide on Thursday to engage in “good trouble” protests against the Trump administration. These demonstrations commemorated the fifth anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing, continuing a trend of community-driven actions opposing White House policies.
Protests unfolded throughout the Portland metro area, with events held in Estacada, Canby, Laurelhurst Park, Willamette Park, and outside the state Capitol in Salem. In Vancouver, a rally grew large enough to close Franklin Street near the Clark County Courthouse.
Retired attorney Vallera Johnson cited numerous reasons for participating in Thursday’s protests. Attending the “Good Trouble” rally on the Bethany Boulevard overpass on US 26 in Beaverton, Johnson expressed concerns over Trump’s proposed “big beautiful bill,” cuts to foreign aid, recent immigration crackdowns, and the nomination of Emil Bove to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
While Thursday’s protests were part of a broader national movement, many local organizers are committed to weekly activism. Ross and Indivisible Washington County host protests every Saturday at the 185th Avenue overpass above US 26.
Indivisible Oregon members Jackie Cashion and Keir Karson, who organized their own demonstration on the Blumenauer Pedestrian Bridge overlooking Interstate 84, display new signs each week with different messages. On Thursday, their sign proclaimed, “Protect our rights, not ICE.”
