Groups rally, march against Trump at Revolution Hall
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- On the eve of Donald Trump's return to the White House as President of the United States, a number of groups coalesced for a rally, then a march from Revolution Hall in Portland Sunday afternoon.
The rally, dubbed "We Fight Back," began at 2 p.m. at the site of many earlier anti-Trump protests. Organizers said the focus of the rally is "for workers rights, for the future of our planet."
Around 3 p.m. the attendees, many of whom had flags and signs, marched for about 3 miles in the streets and on the sidewalk, at times stopping traffic as they crossed streets. Some of the signs were about defending immigrants from mass deportations while others urged a free Palestine.
Chris Boone, an organizer with About Face, told KOIN 6 News they "decided to endorse and support in the interest of, sort of spreading left unity, and participating in a movement that really has working class interests at heart."
About Face's stated mission on their Instagram page is "Mobilizing post-9/11 veterans against US wars, militarism + imperialism—at home & abroad."
Boone said they hoped to "communicate to other veterans, to other people in the community that you're not alone, that there are people who care about you and your interests. And if you're interested in getting organized, we're interested in organizing with you."
A flyer posted online to promote the rally listed "initial endorsers" as Party for Socialism and Liberation, Communist Party USA, About Face, Democratic Socialists of America, Freedom Road, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, WSUV Students for Palestine and the ANSWER Coalition.
"It's always great to see a bunch of people show up for working class interests," Boone said.
Some businesses downtown, with previous political protests in mind, boarded up their storefront in case of any possible violence in the next few days. One of those spots was the Portland Art Museum's Center for and Untold Tomorrow (PAM Cut) on Southwest Salmon.
There was also a heavy police presence at the Sunday rally. But both Portland and state police kept their distance as the march and rally went on.
This is the latest in a series of known protests in the days leading up to Trump's inauguration.
Hundreds of people also gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland early Saturday afternoon in a rally against Trump’s stated policies like immigration, healthcare and reproductive rights.
Sunday's rally is one of five protest events Portland police said they will monitor closely. Authorities said there is increased staffing ready to respond to any disruptions.
"Unity," Boone said, "is what we're after."