On Sunday, June 22, protests were held in multiple Oregon cities—including Eugene, Portland, Hillsboro, and Beaverton—in response to President Donald Trump’s recent authorization of U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
In Eugene, approximately 100 people gathered outside the Old Federal Building at 7th and Pearl for an emergency rally organized by the Pacific Green Party of Lane County, Planet Versus Pentagon, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and other local groups. The demonstration began at 2 p.m.
Similar protests took place throughout the Portland metro area on the same day, with participants expressing opposition to the strikes and calling on Congress to take legislative action regarding future military decisions.
Senator Jeff Merkley, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the strikes during an interview with CNN. Merkley stated that, in his view, the administration acted without proper congressional authorization and questioned the necessity of the operation.
“Iran had not attacked or threatened a U.S. facility or our property. They had not made the decision to develop a nuclear weapon,” Merkley said.
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“They have enriched… up to 60 percent enrichment, and they have about 1,000 pounds of it. That's a significant factor,” he added. “But 90 percent is what’s required for a bomb.”
Merkley also commented on the importance of executive-legislative coordination, saying:
“There’s a relationship between the executive branch and the congressional branch that involves informing Congress about key decisions regarding conflicts around the world and the use of our forces.”
The airstrikes follow increased tensions in the Middle East, including prior action by Israel against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The Biden and Trump administrations have differed in their approaches to Iran’s nuclear program, and public responses across the U.S. have varied widely.
The Eugene and Portland-area demonstrations were among several held nationwide following the announcement of the strikes.
