Last month, protesters filled the streets of downtown Portland as part of a nationwide movement protesting the recent actions of the Trump administration. Tariffs, budget cuts headed by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia were some of the key issues and events that brought thousands of protesters into Pioneer Square and the surrounding area.
Portland’s protests are but a piece of a larger state and nationwide stand organized by 50501 — a recent effort born from the subreddit “r/50501.” As per their name, 50501 holds fifty protests across fifty states in one day. “Our movement shows the world that the American working class will not sit idly by as plutocrats rip apart their democratic institutions and civil liberties while undermining the rule of law,” according to the 50501 website. Four official protests have taken place in Portland, on Feb. 17, March 4, April 5, and April 19.
Compared to Trump’s previous administration, Democrats have been slow to respond. On the day after Trump’s first inauguration, on Jan. 21, 2017, millions took to the streets for the Women’s March, which, according to the New York Times, became one of the largest protests in American history. This term, elected Democrats and voters alike have had a difficult time rallying cohesive opposition to the Trump administration’s steamroll of executive orders, tariffs, deportations, and DOGE firings.
“I initially wasn’t really sure how to react,” says Michael, who protested in Portland on April 19. He wishes to go only by his first name to protect his identity. “Trump being elected again showed me how little we’ve progressed since 2016. I knew I had to do something, but I didn’t know what.” The “Hands Off!” protests have been one of the only cohesive nationwide movements against the Trump administration.
Although the “Hands Off!” protests are encouraging the left, Republicans have started to push back against the movement. Jamie, who also wishes to go by her first name only, attended the protest with her three children in defense of Trump. Donning MAGA hats and holding signs in support of DOGE, they watched from a street corner as the protesters marched by. “All of these people have a certain opinion about what’s going on with the government, with DOGE, and with Trump … so we felt we should at least come and represent our side of the opinion spectrum,” she says.
Jamie also encourages other Republicans to come out and speak their minds, even in Portland, a city that is known for swinging left. “I think there’s actually quite a few of us, but people tend to be shy about coming out,” she says. “You got to be brave and get out here.”
Despite the nationwide resistance, Trump, along with a Republican-dominated Congress, have swiftly continued with tariffs, deportations, and other policies and laws that have brought out protesters. Michael is disappointed, but not surprised. “We never expected Trump to fire Elon [Musk] or to give everyone their jobs back,” he explains. “We just want the world to know that America is not a lost cause, that we aren’t all fascists, and we don’t all support dictators.”
Jamie has a more cynical view. “I think they’re shouting into their own echo chamber. Their topic of the day is always evolving, and it usually ends up being nothing.”
With no indication that the Trump administration plans on slowing down, the “Hands Off!” protests are likely going to continue. Individually, Michael says he will keep fighting. “This isn’t the America I grew up in and this isn’t the America I voted for. I don’t think anyone can truly think that this is okay.”
