Portland's Naked Bike Ride Protests Federal Troops
Naked Ride on Hawthorne Bridge, 2012. Photo courtesy of Sarah Mirk under CC BY 2.0.
Dozens of bare-bottomed cyclists braved the rain and Portland's damp streets, pedaling in protest outside the city's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. According to the New York Post, the demonstration was an "emergency" edition of the annual World Naked Bike Ride — a tradition that usually takes place in summer but was hastily organized this time to oppose federal immigration raids and the potential deployment of National Guard troops to the city.
A Naked Rally Against Federal Troops
The riders, some fully nude and others sporting only helmets or minimal clothing, cycled through the city shouting slogans like "F--- ICE," as reported by Fox News. Some protesters made obscene gestures toward federal agents, while others had slogans such as "No Kings" and "No human being is illegal" painted on their bodies, blending vulnerability with defiance. Despite the steady rain and temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the protesters showed no signs of backing down. According to the New York Post, one participant, Janene King, described the ride as a "quintessentially Portland way to protest" — highlighting the city's reputation for quirky and irreverent activism.
Warning: Profanity
A Stark Contrast to Usual Anti-ICE Protests
This protest stood in stark contrast to Portland's usual anti-ICE demonstrations, which have previously involved masked Antifa members clad in black and sometimes escalated to violent confrontations with federal law enforcement. This time, the nude riders brought a provocative display to the streets, turning their bare skin into a canvas for political messages. Federal agents on rooftops overlooking the ICE facility observed the procession, with some filming the unusual scene on their phones, as reported by Fox News. Officers on the street reportedly formed barricades but stepped back several yards, allowing the naked cyclists to pass without interference. Although the protest reportedly unfolded without immediate arrests, tensions between authorities and protesters remain high.
Mixed Reactions and Online Jeers
Public reactions ranged from supportive to scathing. Conservative voices online criticized the public nudity as inappropriate, especially given the presence of children in public areas. Conservative commentator Robby Starbuck called the protest "mentally ill pedophile" behavior and inappropriate for public spaces with children, as reported by Fox News. Social media users echoed similar sentiments, accusing the cyclists of attention-seeking rather than productive activism.
Warning: Profanity
Turning Point USA's Andrew Kolvet weighed in with a sardonic take, suggesting that the protest might have led some undocumented immigrants to "self-deport," as reported by Fox News. Meanwhile, podcaster Kyle Becker noted that the "Antifa cavalry" had arrived, underscoring the tensions simmering between far-left activists and federal officers in the city.
Months of Unrest at the ICE Facility
The nude ride was a momentary spectacle amid months of unrest. Earlier in the year, protests at the ICE center escalated to violence, with mobs hurling fireworks, smoke grenades, and rocks at federal officers. In a particularly dramatic incident, rioters brought a guillotine to the street outside the facility, injuring four officers during the confrontation, as reported by Fox News.
Tensions Within Law Enforcement
Portland's police have faced scrutiny for their handling of the protests. An internal email from a police sergeant, made public as part of a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, seemed to place some blame on counter-protesters who documented the violence, accusing them of provoking the clashes. According to Fox News, the sergeant described some individuals as a "chronic source" of police and medical calls at the ICE site, revealing a fraught relationship between law enforcement and activists in the city.
The Legal Backdrop
The protest unfolded against the backdrop of a legal dispute over the Trump administration's authority to deploy federalized troops to Portland. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on October 5, 2025, blocking the deployment. On October 15, the order was extended another 14 days while the Ninth Circuit considers the case.
Organizers cited this looming threat as a key reason for staging the protest, emphasizing that the ride was about "joy," "mutual respect," and "kindness," — encouraging participants to wear as much or as little as they chose.
Portland's Iconic Blend of Activism and Theatrics
This latest action adds to the ongoing saga of activism in Portland, a city known for its radical image and theatrical protests. It highlights the delicate balance between cheers for defiance and sneers directed at what some see as performative antics.
Whether these bare-bottomed cyclists will influence public opinion beyond their rain-soaked ride remains uncertain. But for now, their parade serves as a vivid symbol of Portland's persistent and unorthodox spirit of protest, undeterred by weather or warnings.
References: Nude cyclists stage unusual protest at ICE detention center in Portland | Naked bike riders protest against federal troops in Portland | Federal judge in Oregon extends temporary block on National Guard deployment to Portland
