March for Our Lives Portland

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March for Our Lives Portland was held on March 24, 2018, in Portland, Oregon. It was part of a worldwide push for stronger gun laws after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Student organizers worked with Never Again MSD and Everytown for Gun Safety. Estimates of turnout ranged from about 12,000 to 25,000 people, making it Portland’s largest protest since the 2017 Women’s March.

The march began at the North Park Blocks and moved to Pioneer Courthouse Square, along a route that went via Burnside and Broadway. At the square, eight local students spoke, followed by songs and poetry about gun safety and voting. The rock band Portugal. The Man performed, and rapper Black Thought from The Roots made a surprise appearance.

Protesters called for universal background checks, raising the federal minimum gun ownership age to 21, closing the gun show loophole, restoring the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, and banning high-capacity magazines. The event was organized with proper permits and was peaceful, though counter-protesters were present.

Transit changes affected the area: some streets were closed, and a few MAX stations were briefly shut. Lyft offered free rides for march participants in several cities.

Local leaders Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer attended, along with 15 Stoneman Douglas alumni living in Portland and teachers from Umpqua Community College. Organizers encouraged attendees to vote and stay politically active.