50 States Protest: Portland

PUSHBACK AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Unfortunately, it’s not a bold statement to say that we live in some very troubling and interesting times. No matter what side of the political fence you sit on, I think that’s something we can all agree upon.

I have never been very active when it comes to politics, but as a result of current events, that’s changed. So, on Tuesday, March 4, I decided I would attend my first protest, in downtown Portland.

The day began with me nervously taking the MAX Blue Line train towards the Portland City Hall with a journal in hand to interview a number of protesters, with the goal of finding out what was on their minds. The protest in question is a part of a nationwide movement called 50501 (50 protests, in 50 states, one movement). The movement began earlier this year in opposition to the re-election of President Donald Trump, and the main goal of the ongoing effort is to see Trump impeached and prevent executive overreach in the U.S federal government.

An important note, before I get ahead of myself, is that I had never interviewed anyone before. I wanted my questions to be very open-ended, to see where the conversations would go. It’s safe to say I was a bit anxious.

Little did I know the first person I approached was the organizer and chant leader of the protest. So, with shaky hands I began asking my questions.

Darren Herzberg, age 34

Organizer, chanter, and member of a de-escalation group for 50501 PDX

Advocate: What do you hope to see accomplished today?

Herzberg: Our big thing we are trying to accomplish is ending executive overreach and upholding the Constitution. There are a number of things, they [Trump administration] are flooding the field with issues constantly, and it’s really difficult for us to respond to everything at once. So that’s why we have to coalesce on the fact that the president is not king, he cannot just make laws for all of us to follow, and we also can have these billionaires who are currently in our government – soaking up all of the funds we have for public works. I mean, who the hell knows what they are doing with it?

Advocate: What do you think is the solution to this barrage of issues?

Herzberg: I think this is going to take a while. For all intents and purposes, this [protest] is a political revolution against a fascist regime. The United States has been taken over by a fascist regime and is currently linked in arms with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. Is change going to happen quickly? I don’t think so. We are going to be out here constantly until we get this guy impeached.

It’s safe to say I did not know what to expect when speaking with a political organizer. I half expected to get a series of rapid-fire, mechanical responses from Herzberg. To my surprise, though surrounded by the hustle and bustle of hundreds of protestors, he made time to chat with me following my questions, and offered some very supportive and encouraging conversation.

With my confidence level raised, I next approached a man wielding a Captain America shield and wearing a military helmet.

Noah, age 47

Advocate: What brought you out here today?

Noah: Oligarchy, I am against it.

Advocate: What do you hope to see accomplished today?

Noah: We’re showing that the American people exist, because you don’t get to say what the law is for everyone just because you’re rich and your daddy was rich. 

Advocate: What do you think is the biggest issue the American people are facing?

Noah: The destruction of democracy, and the rule of law. They [Trump and allies] are not acting like there are elections they’re going to have to win, and we need to take that seriously. They are destroying America’s international power on purpose, they are cratering the economy. There’s some debate if Trump and [Elon] Musk are being controlled by Putin, but if they were, they wouldn’t be doing anything differently, so I don’t see how it makes much of a difference. 

Advocate: What do you believe the solution to these problems is?

Noah: We are beginning with a populist uprising. The people are speaking out across the country, not just here, saying we will not tolerate this abrogation of American law. Where it goes from here remains to be seen. I used to think I was good at predicting what would happen, and I have been wrong a lot over the last few years. So, I’ve stopped predicting, I don’t know what will happen, but it starts with us saying “no more.”

Following my conversation with Noah, I approached a woman named Stephanie. After some small talk she told me that it was also her first protest. I was very curious about what brought her to the event and began asking questions.

Stephanie, age 43

Advocate: What issues brought you out here today, Stephanie?

Stephanie: My son is transgender, and Trump’s doing a lot of fucked-up shit.

Advocate: What do you hope to see accomplished today?

Stephanie:Anything, because kids are scared to go to school, Hispanic kids are scared to go to school. It’s just sad – kids should not have to live in fear. 

(As tears came to Stephanie’s eyes we took a break, and resumed when she was ready.)

Advocate: You were mentioning that your kid is transgender. What is some advice that you give them?

Stephanie: My advice to them is just to stay strong, I mean that’s all you can really do. That’s why we’re out here, because what else can you do? This is all that you can do, or else everyone just feels helpless.

Advocate: What would you like to share with this generation of college students?

Stephanie: Keep an open mind, and stick with your beliefs, not just what you’re told. Stick to your own values, because this generation is awesome. I love this new generation, you kids are great.

After the exchange, I spent some time chatting with Stephanie. Her words were very powerful as she discussed the increased discrimination that her son has faced in the previous months. After our time together I couldn’t shake the thought of how worried she was for her child’s safety, and how fucked up it is that she even has to feel that way.

With the planned march about to be underway I approached one last protester, an older man standing on the outskirts of the event.

Allen Dickerson, Age 63

Advocate: What Brought you out here today, Allen?

Dickerson: The feeling that I have to do something, rather than just worrying about the future and doomscrolling.

Advocate: What advice would you give to this generation of college students?

Dickerson: Read history, learn history. All of this should have been easily avoided by anyone that knows the history of the mid-20th century, starting in the 1930s when Hitler came to power in Germany. We are watching a repeat of it all going on right now, and so many people are either in line with it, or don’t see the distinct parallels that are there. So, they are just going along like sheep to the slaughter. You know I’ve seen a lot of people say online, “If you’re wondering what you would have done if you were in 1930s Germany when the Nazis were rising to power, well, you’re doing it right now.

After Allen and I spoke the march began. It followed its planned route to Pioneer Square where the protest would ultimately conclude, and just as the day began, I set off on the Blue Line home.

There are a lot of things that will stick with me following this experience. For one, I am very grateful to everyone that I interviewed for sharing their thoughts, and for all of the people that I met outside of the interviews.

Now as I sit and reflect upon this day, one thought seems to keep pushing itself to the forefront: Yes, it’s true, we are living in some very tumultuous times. It’s okay to be nervous or unsure about what the future holds, but the only way through these difficult times is to mix with each other. The folks I met came from a variety of backgrounds. They were of different age groups, ethnic backgrounds, sexualities, and gender identities; but they were all gathering together, expressing their thoughts, and desires of a better future for each other.

Since then that fact has brought me great comfort. The American people are strong, and though the times are tough, I know we will get through them, together.

Ryan Rubin