A line of protesters several blocks long marched through downtown Portland Nov. 9 2016, in opposition to the election of Donald Trump.
Rob Manning / OPB
Hundreds of protesters are flowing through the streets of downtown Portland this evening, expressing their dismay over the election of Donald Trump as president. The Portland Police say I-5 was closed between the Fremont Marquam Bridges, but has reopened.
Protesters began on the west side of town at Pioneer Courthouse Square, marched across the Morrison Bridge and onto I-5.
Anti-Trump demonstrator Jessica Radits held a sign that read “Love Still Exists Here,” as she marched in a November 9 2016 protest in downtown Portland.
Rob Manning / OPB
Demonstrators wove through traffic in downtown Portland carrying signs that read “Not My President” and “Love Still Exists.” Some carried flags - others burned them. Several protesters walked under a rainbow-patterned umbrella.
The crowd was diverse – by age and ethnicity. Protesters chanted as they approached and later crossed the Morrison Bridge to the east side.
They were peaceful but many were angry. Bernie Sanders supporter Mana Phommathep held a sign that read “Could’ve Been Bernie.”
“Short story, I mean - DNC Leaks. Wiki leaks," Phommathep said. "That speaks for itself. Imagine Bernie.”
Fellow Sanders supporter Kate Sherman added, “[Sanders] consistently polled ahead of Trump – in double digits, while Hillary was always nearly neck-and-neck or sometimes down.”
Sherman said the Democratic National Committee favored Hillary Clinton over Sanders, and now party leaders have to “eat crow” in Sherman’s words.
An anti-Trump demonstrator held a hand-made sign reading “Not My President!!!” as hundreds marched through downtown Portland, November 9 2016.
Rob Manning / OPB
This is the second night of election protests in Portland. Anti-Trump demonstrators are also marching in Seattle, New York and many other cities. Protests hit a number of college campuses around the country, including the University of Oregon, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Associated Press reported the Portland anti-Trump protest drew a handful of opponents:
“Earlier the protest in downtown drew several Trump supporters, who taunted the demonstrators with signs. At one point, a lone Trump supporter was chased across Pioneer Courthouse Square and hit in the back with a skateboard before others intervened.”
