ASTORIA, Ore. — Thousands of people turned out for rallies across Oregon and on Oregon’s North Coast on Saturday, joining nationwide protests of the Trump administration’s actions since coming into office.
The rallies were held days after President Donald Trump rolled out new tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners and followed whirlwind weeks of new executive orders, policies, mass firings of federal workers and deportations.
In Astoria, crowds lined both sides of Marine Drive and stretched down several blocks. Organizers estimate that between 1,000 and 1,200 people attended the peaceful protest.
KMUN spoke with attendees about why they were there. Many people shared broad concerns about the future of democracy in the country and the influence of billionaire Elon Musk. But in many instances, people were worried about where policies would impact family members and others they care about.
Tiffany, an Astoria resident and educator, said she was concerned about potential loss of Social Security. Recent Musk-led cuts to staff at the agency have led to reports of cut-off calls, a crashing website and hours in line at Social Security Administration offices.
“I have people in my family, and friends, that are not going to be able to navigate it now, and I’m really scared for them,” Tiffany told KMUN.
As an educator, she is also worried about cuts to the Department of Education.
“I’m worried about the federal employees that are being laid off, creating chaos,” she added. “I mean, the list is endless unfortunately.”
The overwhelming majority of people protesting were there in opposition to the Trump administration, but there were a few small pockets of Trump supporters. At the corner of 16th and Marine Drive, a handful of people stood with pro-Trump signs.
One woman, who said her name was Denise, told KMUN it was the first time in her life she had ever participated in a rally.
She said she was there to support President Trump. She was particularly happy about his actions at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“He’s doing everything he can to turn around the past four years and we need it,” she said. “Otherwise we’re just gonna go down.”
When asked what she made of the hundreds of people there who felt otherwise, Denise said, “They have that right. It’s their right to be here just as it is mine to protest what they’re doing.”
Nearby a man named Chris, who was against Trump, hoisted his own sign.
“People are deeply, deeply worried,” he said, “and we feel like it’s come to the point where we really have to put our bodies on the line peacefully and take a stand.”
Rallies were also held in Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Tillamook.
It is estimated that more than 700 people participated in a similar rally across the Columbia River on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington state.