Protesters rallying against the Trump administration in Portland demonstrated the city’s quirky reputation Sunday by pedaling through streets wearing little to nothing in an “emergency” edition of the annual World Naked Bike Ride.
Crowds gathering daily and nightly outside the immigration facility in Oregon’s largest city in recent days have embraced the absurd, donning inflatable frog, unicorn, axolotl, and banana costumes as they face federal law enforcement who often deploy tear gas and pepper balls.
The bike ride is an annual tradition that usually happens in summer, but organizers of this weekend’s hastily called event said another nude ride was necessary to speak out against President Donald Trump’s attempts to mobilize the National Guard to quell protests.
Rider Janene King called the nude ride a “quintessentially Portland way to protest.” The 51-year-old was naked except for wool socks, a wig, and a hat. She sipped hot tea and said she was unbothered by steady rain and mid-50s temperatures (about 12 Celsius).
“We definitely do not want troops coming into our city,” King said.
Bike riders made their way through streets to the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. Authorities ordered people to stay out of the street and protest only on sidewalks or risk being arrested.
The city is awaiting an appeals court panel ruling on whether Trump can send federalized troops after a federal judge on October 5 ordered a temporary hold on deployment.
“Joy is a form of protest. Being together with mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest,” the ride’s organizers said on Instagram. “It’s your choice how much or little you wear.”
Fewer people were fully naked than usual, likely because of cool, wet weather, but some still bared it all and rode wearing only bike helmets.
Naked bike rides have thronged the streets of Oregon’s largest city every year since 2004, often holding up traffic as the crowd cycles through with speakers playing music. Some years have drawn roughly 10,000 riders, according to Portland World Naked Bike Ride.
The event reflects Portland’s tradition of unconventional protest tactics blending activism with performance art and community celebration, distinguishing the city’s protest culture from more traditional demonstrations.
