PORTLAND, Ore. — Downtown Portland businesses appear to have begun boarding up their windows again this week, bracing for possible unrest ahead of a nationwide day of protest called “Rage Against the Regime,” organized by the activist group 50501.
The protest, scheduled for Saturday, August 2, is part of a national effort involving hundreds of cities, according to organizers. The central event—a peaceful sit-in—is planned at the Capitol Building in Augusta, Maine, but solidarity actions are expected in multiple states.
The 50501 movement—short for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement”—has issued a press release citing what they describe as growing “threats to democracy and human rights.” The group lists concerns such as the “weaponization of ICE,” the construction of what they refer to as “concentration camps,” the “cover-up of the Epstein Files,” attacks on transgender rights, and cuts to government programs like Medicaid, SNAP, USAID, the Department of Education, and the National Weather Service.
Businesses downtown Portland are boarding up windows. Is a tantrum planned for the near future? Pioneer place was also boarding up some spots pic.twitter.com/y6YIAoU6fU
— J Sanchez (@2A_AllDay) July 31, 2025
While no official protests have been announced in Portland as part of Saturday’s events, some local business owners have opted to take preemptive action based on past experiences with national protest days that have drawn crowds or escalated unexpectedly.
The 50501 movement has previously organized events including the “Hands Off” and “No Kings” rallies, and has been active in organizing days of action since Donald Trump returned to office in 2025. The group promotes nonviolence and issues safety and de-escalation guidelines to participants and volunteer organizers.
In San Angelo, Texas, for example, the protest is being called “RISE Against the Regime” rather than “Rage,” with local organizers clarifying the change is meant to emphasize peaceful intent.
Despite Portland not being listed as a protest site on 50501’s official channels, recent events and ongoing political tensions have led some businesses to board up as a precaution. As of Friday morning, several establishments in the downtown core were seen installing plywood and removing outdoor furnishings in preparation for the weekend.
The Portland Police Bureau has not issued any alerts or announcements related to protest activity this weekend, and no permits for large-scale demonstrations appear to have been filed.
The timing of the protest—August 2—coincides with the birthday of Vice President JD Vance, though organizers have stated this is merely a coincidence.
The “Rage Against the Regime” name itself is a nod to the band Rage Against the Machine, and organizers have used song lyrics and cultural references in their promotional materials. A spokesperson for the group told USA Today the protest is intended to evoke the legacy of historic civil rights actions, including lunch counter sit-ins and student-led Vietnam War protests.
As of Friday, over 340 events affiliated with the movement are listed online, with additional unaffiliated protests expected to take place throughout the day.
Portland officials have not commented on the boarding efforts downtown or confirmed any expectations of demonstrations locally.
