(Portland) Anti-Trump demonstrators in Portland showcased the city’s eccentric and irreverent reputation on Sunday by pedaling through the streets wearing little or nothing at all during an “emergency” edition of the annual World Naked Bike Ride.
In recent days, crowds, gathered day and night outside the immigration center in Oregon’s largest city, have embraced the absurd, donning inflatable frog, unicorn, axolotl and banana costumes to confront federal law enforcement, who often use tear gas and pepper balls.
PHOTO JOHN RUDOFF, REUTERS
An immigration enforcement officer shoots protesters with a crowd control rifle after participants in the “Emergency Naked Bike Ride” arrived outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, October 12, 2025.
The bike ride is an annual tradition that usually takes place in the summer, but organizers of the event, hastily convened this weekend, said a new naked ride was necessary to denounce President Donald Trump’s attempts to mobilize the National Guard to quell protests.
Participant Janene King called the nude stroll a “typical Portland protest.”
The 51-year-old was naked except for woolen socks, a wig and a hat. She sipped a cup of hot tea and said she was not bothered by the incessant rain and temperatures around 12°C.
PHOTO JENNY KANE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
This bike ride is an annual tradition that usually takes place in the summer.
“We absolutely do not want troops to enter our city,” said Mr.me King.
The cyclists rode through the streets and headed toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. The authorities ordered the population to stay off the streets and demonstrate only on the sidewalks, under penalty of arrest.
The city is awaiting the decision of an appeals court which will rule on authorization to send National Guard troops there, as requested by the American president. Last week, a federal judge ordered a temporary suspension of the deployment.
PHOTO JENNY KANE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cyclists stopped on a bridge to temporarily block it
“Joy is a form of protest. Being together in mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest,” the organizers of the bike ride said on Instagram. “It’s up to you to choose what you will wear, or not wear. »
Fewer people were fully naked than usual, likely due to the cool, wet weather, but some still stripped off and rode with only a bike helmet.
Since 2004, naked bike rides have taken over the streets of Oregon’s largest city every year, often blocking traffic as crowds cycle around to the sound of loudspeakers blasting music. Some editions have attracted nearly 10,000 cyclists, according to Portland World Naked Bike Ride.
Christopher Weber contributed to this report from Los Angeles.
