I know you’re wondering, so here are the pics.
UPDATE: ** Numbers!! As of October 19, 2025, the numbers I’ve seen are an estimated 40 to 50,000 just in downtown Portland. According to a tracking website, estimates of 5.2-8.2 million people, make it the biggest political protest march in our country’s history. But multiple mainstream and international media outlets are saying 7 million total. Of course I am biased to lean toward higher numbers, but there must have been more. There were examples of protests of 40 or 120 people that sprung up organically at street corners here and there across Oregon yesterday. Were these people counted? I have a friend in Tennessee who went to one and her mom went to one in Michigan, both in small towns I have never heard of. As you see from a comment below, some people came, and then left. Were they all counted? In states that are currently occupied, like Oregon, California, and Illinois, I’m sure we contributed millions of our own. Seriously, California could have turned out 5 million protesters itself. Ok, I’m going on and on…but the more you think about it, the more you realize the true numbers would be staggering. If there was a way to really count us.**
It was the best turn out so far in Tigard (a suburb of Portland), and I was expecting that. I’m guessing 3,000 this time. This one has had the most advertisement (finally, thank you media for finally, finally talking about the protests), and also much more bullshit has gone down since the last one. So more people have been motivated.
(Did you hear the Supreme Court is expected to invalidate part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965? The expected changes will allow districts to draw voting maps that disadvantage minority groups. In other words, they will gerrymander maps so that whomever is in power can rig voting to get more votes.) Anyway… there is a lot to protest about.
To catch you up, Portland has developed a bit of a theme because of what’s happening at our city ICE facility. It started with a chicken costume. Then an inflatable frog showed up. And the chicken and the frog were there every day, and got famous. So more frogs showed up. And more chickens. Then suddenly, every manner of silly inflatable costume was appearing at the Portland ICE facility to protest.
The local paper, The Oregonian, has called it “Operation Inflation,” which is awesome. This morning I saw lots of live streaming video footage from protests across the country (did you see pictures from NYC? Massive massive numbers of people), and the whole country is taking Portland’s lead by showing up in these ridiculous inflatable costumes. I am so proud of my city.
We want it to be harder and harder for Dump to justify military occupation. How threatened are they really, by a blow-up unicorn?
MAGA people were trying to brand today’s protest as the “hate America” protest, so we came out with a thousand flags. MAGA are losing, and getting desperate, so their attacks are getting unhinged.
Conscious Engagement 
Awesome! Love your signs, and the journalists one as well. We decided to go into Portland for the big one this time, and it was amazing. We left after several hours and others were still joining, so I don’t know how they get a head count.
THANK YOU for showing up for a protest and wow, I can hardly imagine how big it must have been in downtown. I had a girlfriend who was there for hours and she said the numbers were staggering. I haven’t seen an estimated count yet for there or anywhere, but it must have been crazy big this time.
This morning, I read 40,000 in downtown Portland. But like you said, that must only be an estimate. And there were so many satellite protests around the state, in addition.
Wonderful Crystal. So many inventive people 🐸
I thought so too, Brian. Some of those signs and costumes were just great! It was hard to be a proper protestor, but also see what everyone else was doing, ha ha! Pedro and I walked about a half a mile up one side of the highway then back, but we did not get to the end of the protestors on either end. SO MANY PEOPLE.
The people count is fabulous. To see the end of the orange one would be so good especially if he ends up in jail
Two obervations:
1.) the signs are great!
2.) He’d find the unicorn threatening because it’s horn is bigger than his.
Hi Lou, I somehow missed a bunch of comments on here. Thanks for the feedback on the signs. And um…you are so spot on about the jealousy. ha ha ha!!
There has been a lot of commentary recently, and I’ve been behind in writing responses, too. Life just gets busy sometimes.
Fabulous! It was amazing to be a part of this day. Lots of creativity, community and conversation. Great signs! Thanks for being there! 🐸💚🐸
I have so much fun reading people’s signs!! They are really clever. Thank YOU for getting out there.
Yep, “Morons Are Governing America” about sums it up.
I somehow missed a few comments on this post. But yes!! I thought that sign was great. Even though my photo wasn’t the best because of the backlighting, I wanted to get that sign into my post.
“Clap emoji” but I’m on my laptop and can’t add one!
Thank you Katie!! “heart emoji”
What a day it was!! To unite with those as horrified as we are; to feel joy amongst “our people”; to know we are not alone (not that we thought we were); and for at least a day, to avoid the daily whiplash that is djt. Love your signs and the US Flag, too. We were on “mom care”, so since we had to drive from Arlington to Williamsburg, we did a drive by participation in two different marches (Fredericksburg and Williamsburg). SO AWESOME!!!
You know, the cars driving by with signs and flags and honking were VERY inspirational for the people on the sidelines, as you probably know already. THANK YOU for being there for two different marches! Also good job being on mom care. ❤