‘Quintessentially Portland’: nude cyclists protest against national guard deployment | Trump administration
Protesters rallying against the Trump administration in Portland showed off the city’s quirky and irreverent reputation Sunday by pedaling through the streets wearing absolutely nothing, or something close to it, in an “emergency” edition of the annual World Naked Bike Ride.
Crowds who have gathered daily and nightly outside the immigration center in Oregon’s largest city in recent days have embraced absurd attire, wearing inflatable costumes of frogs, unicorns, axolotls and bananas as they confronted federal law enforcement officers who often deployed tear gas and pepper spray.
The bike ride is an annual tradition that usually takes place in the summer, but organizers of this weekend’s hastily organized event said another naked ride was needed to speak out against Donald Trump’s attempts to mobilize the national guard to quell the protests.
Driver Janene King called the naked ride “literally a way to protest in Portland.”
The 51-year-old actress was naked except for her wool socks, wig and hat. He sipped hot tea and said he wasn’t bothered by the incessant rain and temperatures in the mid-50s (about 12 degrees).
“We certainly don’t want soldiers coming into our city,” King said.
Bicyclists rolled through the streets and headed toward the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) building. Authorities ordered people to stay off the streets and protest only on sidewalks or risk arrest.
The city is awaiting an appeals court panel’s decision on whether Trump can send in federal troops after a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to sending troops on Oct. 5.
“Joy is a form of protest. Being together with mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest,” the trip organizers said on Instagram. “It’s your choice how much or how little you wear.”
Fewer people than usual were completely naked, probably due to the cool and wet weather, but some were still completely naked and cycling wearing only a bicycle helmet.
Naked bike rides have filled the streets of Oregon’s largest city every year since 2004, often clogging up traffic as crowds ride around with speakers blaring music. Some years, nearly 10,000 cyclists come here, according to the Portland World Naked Bike Ride.
