Thousands gather to protest President Donald Trump at Oregon State Capitol

Thousands of people demonstrated Saturday at the Oregon State Capitol as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration.

The protest was the latest in a series organized by the national grassroots organization The 50501 Movement — 50 states, 50 protests, one day — which planned protests in Washington, D.C., and in every state.

People held signs with slogans like 'Hands off our democracy,' '“'Humpty Trumpty had a great fall,' and 'Are we great yet? I’m just embarrassed.'

Others brought instruments and waved American, Ukrainian and Pride flags. A youth group offered “free hotdogs against fascism.”

More than 1,200 protests were planned across the country Saturday. Organizers said they wanted to have protests that are not only accessible for people wherever they are in the country, but also highly visible to show that opposition exists in every part of the country.

Thousands of people also gathered Saturday in Berlin, Paris and London to protest against Trump and Musk.

Hosting organizations in the U.S. include longstanding groups such as Indivisible, Women’s March, MoveOn, Working Families Power, and Public Citizen and grassroots groups like 50501 that have formed since Election Day.

Related "Hands off" protests, which are against actions taken by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, were planned around Oregon on Saturday.

Other recent protests in Salem include one last weekend at the Tesla dealership against Musk's involvement in cutting federal spending, a protest at the state Capitol for actions taken by Trump against veterans programs, and a "Stand up for Science" rally against federal funding cuts.

Follow along for live updates, videos and photos from Saturday's protest.

'I’ve never been a protester, but boy I am now'

Clyde Clevenger, 75, said he has attended every protest in Salem this year.

Clevenger is a Vietnam War veteran, but he said veterans’ rights are only one reason he’s been protesting.

“I’m also a father and I have four daughters, and I hate to see what’s happening for my daughters and my grandchildren,” he said.

Clevenger said he and several of his friends, who called themselves 'The Usual Suspects,' brought instruments and played bluegrass and folk songs with a protest message.

Clevenger said he didn’t support the Vietnam War and considered going to live with family in Canada so he wouldn’t have to serve, but he didn’t.

“Until this came up, I’ve never been a protester, but boy I am now,” he said.

Salem protester says Trump administration actions are ‘affecting everybody, and it’s gonna get nasty’

Cal Morrison, 28, of Salem, said they attended Saturday’s protest because they feel like the United States has never been closer to losing its democratic freedoms.

Morrison said this is the second protest they’ve attended this year.

“Our country is currently being run by someone who is taking a lot from Vladimir Putin’s playbook and it’s getting to the point where it’s very concerning,” Morrison said.

Morrison said as an autistic person it’s concerning to see Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric and cutting funding for vaccine programs.

“That’s concerning because vaccines are very important,” Morrison said.

Morrison wore a non-binary flag tied around their neck and waved a trans flag at the protest. They said people seemed passionate, energetic and positive.

“I really hope that people start making decent decisions for themselves because it’s not just gonna affect Democrats or the left, it’s affecting everybody, and it’s gonna get nasty,” Morrison said.

Salem protestors encouraged to rise and resist

Chelsea Alionar, the founder of Rise and Resist — a non-profit group that opposes "government acts that threatens democracy, equality, and our civil liberties" — attended the protest dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

The Keizer resident told those gathered near the Oregon State Capitol that she had been protesting in Washington, D.C., earlier in the week.“They do not want an educated nation, they want a controlled one,” Alionar said. “A well-educated people demand better, right?”She said the Trump administration wants to “chip away” at fundamental rights, and Americans must rise and resist.

Salem streets around the Oregon State Capitol reopen

Streets have reopened near the Oregon State Capitol as the protest that started at noon wraps up.

The protest that drew thousands of participants started at noon. There were an estimated 200 people still gathered at 3:15 p.m.

Demonstrators begin march from the Oregon State Capitol to downtown Salem

Some protesters began marching at about 2 p.m., chanting, “The people united will never be divided.”

They marched down Center Street NE toward downtown, turning south on Liberty Street NE and then east on First Court Street NE as they made a loop.

Salem City Councilor Nordyke encourages protesters to vote in May

Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, dressed in rainbow leggings, amped up the crowd and encouraged protesters to register to vote in the May elections.“We need Democrats at every level of government, so will you be voting in May?”Nordyke said Salem residents need to vote for a progressive candidate to fill the Ward 6 City Councilor vacancy.Nordyke also said Republicans are the party of fear.“They got a lot of things they seem to run scared of, like people of color, like immigrants, like women expressing exercising control over their own bodies, and they cannot stand the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, the incomparable beauty of our drag queens,” she said.

Members of Oregon's congressional delegation share messages of 'hands off'

Staff for several members of Oregon's congressional delegation read statements.Fritz Graham, district director for U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, read a statement from her that said:“Today, I am proud to join you in saying, hands off: hands off are past, enough of your ridiculous attempts to erase history, both the good and the bad,” he said. “Hands off our present: Stop stealing from working families to give tax cuts to billionaires.”Gustavo Guerrero, a field representative for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, shared this statement from Merkley, also for “hands off:”“This isn't about fiscal responsibility. This is about cruelly shifting resources from those who need them (the) most and to the very richest among us,” he said. “We cannot afford to sit back while our democracy is under attack.”Carina Perez Europa, a field representative for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, shared this statement from the senator:“There are plenty of tough fights ahead to undo the damage that's been done and to get our democracy back, but this week showed the cracks are starting to form."

Streets closed near the Oregon State Capitol due to protest

The southbound lane of Winter Street was closed between Marion Street and Center Street.Summer Street also was closed between Marion Street and Center Street.

What is the 50501 Movement and why is it protesting President Donald Trump?

The movement was born on the website Reddit and spread via social media and word of mouth. It held its first protest on Feb. 5, when hundreds of people protested at the Oregon State Capitol and around the country.

The group opposes the policies promoted by Trump, Project 2025 and what it describes as “anti-democratic” actions of Trump and his allies.

"Our movement shows the world that the American working class will not sit idly by as plutocrats rip apart their democratic institutions and civil liberties while undermining the rule of law," the 50501 website said.

USA TODAY contributed to this story.

Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk