No Kings is taking back Americana

No Kings is taking back Americana

Historically, the right wing has dominated traditional American iconography. Yet now, symbols such as the flag and the Constitution have been reclaimed by the left.

By Sarah Jeong

Mar 31, 2026, 2:31 PM EDT

“I was hoping we were going to have a bigger crowd than this, especially with the nice weather and everything,” Michael Maria remarked. “I’m a little disappointed because during the last march, I believe there were about 10 times as many people at this time of day.”

By 11 AM, the attendance at Portland’s downtown waterfront was noticeably lower compared to the previous No Kings protest held in October. Some decreased turnout was to be expected. In the fall of 2025, Portland had been prominently featured in national discussions. President Donald Trump referred to the city as “war-ravaged” and signed an executive order aimed at antifa, attempting to deploy the National Guard to protect ICE from perceived threats. The image of a Portland protester dressed as an inflatable frog being confronted by DHS law enforcement gained viral traction, with the Portland frog turning into an emblem of resistance.

However, the national attention has since shifted away from Portland, a mid-sized metropolitan area that was always an unusual focus. With federal attention moving toward Minneapolis, the national sentiment underwent a significant transformation. The chaotic scenes of Homeland Security contending with costumed protesters in Portland were supplanted by harrowing footage of Minnesotans facing police violence.

Last year’s No Kings protests in Portland had carried an optimistic undertone. Yet, the winter that followed was tumultuous and fraught with challenges—events such as the occupation of Minneapolis, military actions in Venezuela, and an ongoing war in Iran cast a shadow. While there was hope for substantial national engagement, concerns arose that turnout in downtown Portland might still be limited.

In late January, a labor march near the ICE facility in Portland resulted in extensive use of tear gas against peaceful demonstrators, including children. In early March, a federal judge issued an injunction restricting the use of force against protesters, including prohibitions on tear gas and mortar launchers. Shortly thereafter, a separate ruling favored local residents by issuing restrictions on crowd control measures.

Just days prior to the No Kings protests, however, an appeals court reversed those previous rulings, granting permission to employ tear gas once again. This decision came from a three-judge panel, two of whom were Trump appointees, and it passed with a 2-1 majority.

Ironically, growing dissatisfaction with the administration contributed to a reduction in suburban participants making the trip to the city for the downtown march, since local protests were already attracting thousands in their own communities. An estimated crowd of thousands gathered in the affluent suburb of Lake Oswego, while Senator Ron Wyden opted to join protests in Gresham and The Dalles, areas on the periphery of Portland that lean more conservative.

Maria expressed that friends who had accompanied him to earlier No Kings events were now opting for protests in suburbs like Beaverton, spurred by rumors of a potential crackdown in downtown Portland. “They were a bit nervous about this,” he noted.

Ultimately, Maria’s concerns regarding attendance proved unfounded. By noon, as individuals converged from various neighborhoods toward the downtown waterfront, the location filled with throngs of people, enhanced by the blooming cherry trees. The Burnside Bridge was crowded with protesters, and just north, the Steel Bridge was equally bustling with Portlanders chanting slogans and holding signs. Crowds patiently lined the banks, prepared to march the two-mile journey across the city. An estimated 30,000 individuals participated in the day's events.