Communities from border to border in Oregon joined in protests Saturday, April 5, in a remarkable showing of opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies. In the coastal town of Florence, a handful of protesters waved signs at passing motorists. One sign read, “Alien ating Allies Pleases Putin.” In Portland, thousands gathered and marched in downtown in a traffic-stopping show of opposition. Here is a roundup of some of the reporting and photography Saturday from media organizations around Oregon. Scott Stoddard of the Grants Pass Daily Courier reported, “People who have lived here 50 years are telling me this is the biggest protest they’ve ever seen in Grants Pass.” In Portland, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported: “Crowds of people bearing signs streamed down the sidewalks approaching the Japanese American Historical Plaza on the Portland waterfront by 11:45 a.m. Saturday, as many more came by MAX train and public bus. More than 1,000 people appeared to be gathered by noon.” In central Oregon, Central Oregon Daily reported: “Hundreds of people took part in rallies across Central Oregon Saturday as part of a nationwide “Hands Off” protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. About 400 people took part in Sisters and Redmond while another 100 protested in Prineville. Events were also held in Madras and La Pine, with one more set for downtown Bend.” In Eugene, the Register-Guard reported: “Crowds in Eugene began gathering well ahead of the event’s scheduled start time, with more than 1,000 people holding up signs, chanting and taking up stations outside of city hall, with more crowds gathering up and down Coburg Road and on the bridge above.” The Baker City Herald reported: “Main Street in downtown Baker City served as a political dividing line as well as a thoroughfare on Saturday afternoon as about 150 people gathered on the east side of the street, centered on Court Plaza, to protest the Trump administration…..On the west side of Main Street, about 50 people congregated for a counter-protest, with signs including “Baker County Loves President Trump” and “Tesla Lives Matter.” Oregon Capital Chronicle reported: “At least 125 people flocked to the busy intersection of U.S. routes 26 and 97 in Madras on Saturday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump’s cuts to federal programs and other policies. “The protest, the largest demonstration many attendees can recall in Madras, was part of a nationwide day of “Hands Off” demonstrations, which organizers described as peaceful protests meant to get Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to stop firing federal workers, slashing funding for government grants and programs and sharing Americans’ personal data with Musk’s employees at the Department of Government Efficiency.  READ FULL STORY: MADRAS PROTEST About 125 people gathered at the intersection of U.S. Highways 26 and 97 in Madras to protest the Trump administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (JULIA SHUMWAYy/Oregon Capital Chronicle) The Klamath Falls Herald and News reported: Southern Oregonians had a message for the White House this weekend: “We fight for democracy.” In the Republican stronghold of Klamath County, an estimated 400 residents gathered in protest on all sides of a busy intersection in Klamath Falls. Veterans, educators, healthcare providers, students and senior citizens were among the crowd, unified in protest of the current administration led by President Donald Trump and senior advisor Elon Musk. The local “Hands Off!” protest was one of many nationwide Saturday morning, organized in congruence with the April 5 national day of action. Klamath Falls organizer Sara Garcia said that 97 people had signed up online prior to the start of the event. “The majority were veterans,” Garcia said. Klamath County is home to the highest veteran and active military population per capita in the country, 13% in total. The headcount quadrupled expectations within the first hour of the rally, with supporters from Klamath County Democrats, Klamath County Democratic Socialism Association and nonprofits from the area. The scene was a barrage of drivers honking their horns in support and patriotic chants of “U.S.A.” from crowds on every corner. Citizens of all ages and backgrounds shared statements that, as Garcia said, “underscore the real-life consequences” of the administration’s policies and executive orders. “Our communities are fighting back,” Garcia said. “Participants called on Trump and Elon Musk to take their hands off the programs that Klamath Falls relies on.” A sign presented at the Klamath Falls “Hands Off!” rally Saturday, April 5, reads, “When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.” (HERALD AND NEWS photo) Protesters participate in the “Hands Off!” rally in Klamath Falls on Saturday, April 5. (HERALD AND NEWS photo) Dave Wurch waves a Trump hat in front of protesters during the Hands Off protest Saturday, April 5, at the Josephine County Courthouse in Grants Pass, where hundreds of people lined Sixth Street to protest against the Trump administration. (JULIE ANDERSON/Grants Pass Daily Courier) Linda Graham (left) and Susannah Graven chant during the Hands Off protest at Hawthorne Park in Medford on Saturday, April 5, where an estimated 2,000 people showed up to protest against the Trump administration. (JULIE ANDERSON/ Grants Pass Daily Courier) A crowd gathers with signs in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday, April 5, participating in one of many “Hands Off” demonstrations around Oregon. Organizers estimated 1,000 people attended in Hillsboro. (CHAS HANDLEY/News in the Grove) U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat, exhorts the crowd in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday, April 5, participating in one of many “Hands Off” demonstrations around Oregon. Organizers estimated 1,000 people attended in Hillsboro. (CHAS HANDLEY/News in the Grove) A crowd gathers with signs in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday, April 5, participating in one of many “Hands Off” demonstrations around Oregon. Organizers estimated 1,000 people attended in Hillsboro. (CHAS HANDLEY/News in the Grove) STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: info@salemreporter.com. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE – If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure, $12/month: SUBSCRIBE. The post From Florence to Baker City, Oregonians join ‘Hands Off’ protests appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less