What to know about Saturday’s “No Kings” protest at the State Capitol
Salem is one of many cities around the U.S. planning to hold a “No Kings” protest Saturday in opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration.
The protest is a response to “increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,” organizers said in an email. The protests will take place at the same time as a military parade in Washington D.C. marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and Trump’s birthday.
Over the last week, protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been increasing around the country and escalating in Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed National Guard troops
One of the organizers behind Saturday’s nationwide protests is 50501, a grassroot effort that started in Trump’s second term. It says on its website that it “is a peaceful movement,” and “violence of any kind will not be tolerated.”
The Salem protest is also organized by Salem Region Indivisible, the local branch of a national organization founded in Trump’s first term to push back against his policies. It will take place at the Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. N.E., and last from 12-3 p.m.
Organizers with 50501 said the “No Kings” rally is “a national day of action and mass mobilization.”
“We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens and defied the courts,” organizers wrote in an email.
There will be speakers throughout the protest, including U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon.
The rally will likely affect traffic around the Capitol, including Northeast Court and Center Streets.
The Salem Police Department will be providing updates to their X account and report impacts on nearby neighborhoods to Nextdoor, according to department spokeswoman Angela Hedrick.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and reports on a variety of topics including public safety, addiction, treatment and the criminal justice system. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
