Thousands of protesters across Oregon held signs, chanted and marched Saturday, as part of a nationwide protest aimed at the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk.

More than 800 “Hands Off” protests were held across the nation on Saturday, including more than 40 protests across Oregon, from major events in Portland, Beaverton and Medford drawing crowds of thousands to smaller affairs in traditionally conservative-leaning towns.

“This country was born in a protest,” said Brigit Farley, who spoke at a protest in Pendleton. “Dissent is in our DNA.”

A few hundred miles away, signs and chants were met with near-constant honks of approval in Clackamas County, where Cris Waller, chair of the Democratic Party of Clackamas County stood with about 1,000 others near

“I think what we’re seeing is that people have the energy to get out and give the message that we want hands off,” Waller said. “We want hands off education; we want hands off our environment; we want hands off our courts. And this is a message that is resonating.”

In Madras — where Trump easily won last year’s presidential election by nearly a 2-to-1 margin — about 150 people gathered at the northern edge of town, holding signs urging Americans to “Make America Sane Again” and “Say No to Fascism.”

One protester held a sign that read, “I’m getting fired on Tuesday.” The U.S. Forest Service employee, who asked not to be named, said layoffs at his job are coming and will have drastic impacts on a department already working with minimal staff.

National discontent, local voices

Nationwide, organizers estimated participation in the hundreds of thousands, marking one of the largest protest movements of Trump’s presidency. Organizers believe the widespread turnout signals growing discontent with Trump’s policies — from the federal budget and immigration to the controversial Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Musk.

Musk’s involvement in the U.S. government has proven to be particularly controversial. The world’s richest person, Musk does not hold elected office and has no formal role, but has been granted extraordinary access and privileges to the government’s inner workings, which has become a flashpoint for demonstrators.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, told a crowd of about 5,000 in Beaverton that Saturday’s protests were sending a message to Musk and Trump.

“Keep your hands off the federal employees, keep your hands off the Department of Education,” Bonamici said. “You probably heard, Elon Musk said that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. Elon Musk, get your hands off Social Security.”

In Pendleton, conservationist Chuck Sams — the  former director of the National Park Service under President Joe Biden — told the crowd that American democracy depends on public trust.

“It is only when we stand up and dissent that we force those who are elected to fulfill their obligations to equality, to justice, to ensure this nation does not perish from the face of the Earth,” he said.Peaceful, but divided

The size of the protests was bolstered by strong turnout in more conservative rural areas.

Cheryl Campbell, who helped organize a gathering of about 300 in La Grande, said it’s easier to stay silent when the majority of those around you disagree with you.

“It takes more courage to speak up here,” Campbell told the crowd on Saturday, “where many of our neighbors voted for Trump.”

Despite concerns about potential violence, the majority of Oregon’s demonstrations appear to have remained peaceful.

In Baker City, resident Bob Butler organized a counter-protest across from more than 100 “Hands Off” demonstrators. He and about 50 others gathered to show that “Baker County isn’t represented over there,” he said, gesturing across Main Street.

Both groups chanted “U-S-A” during their demonstrations.

“We must love our country,” the Rev. Cynthia Wunder of the Baker City First Presbyterian Church said. “We must protect our country from that which would destroy it.”

“Everyone is entitled to their own views,” Butler said. “They have every right to stand over there and espouse their beliefs.”

But peaceful demonstrations haven’t always been the case for protests against Musk and Trump. Since Trump won the presidency Tesla dealerships have been targeted with shootings and cars vandalized or damaged.

The Trump administration has labeled the attacks acts of “domestic terrorism” and have promised harsh punishments for anyone caught vandalizing Tesla dealerships.

More than one protester said that while Saturday’s protests were about sending a message to Trump and others in the federal government, it was also about showing solidarity to fellow Oregonians.

Jeff Mueller of Forest Grove grew misty eyed looking at the crowd of thousands that joined him in Portland. He planned to attend the Portland protest, then a second one in Washington County later that day.

“We can’t be silent,” he said, as crowds of thousands surrounded him. “… Seeing this many people means I’m not alone. That’s why I’m tearing up a little, I guess.”

On-the-ground reporting for this article was provided by the following Oregon journalists: Ann Bloom, Christopher Keizur, Buffy Pollock, Berit Thorson, Dana Haynes, Isabella Crowley, Jaime Valdez, Jason Chaney, Jayson Jacoby, Jonathan House, Kiva Hanson, Patrick Malee, Morgan Owen, Nick LaMora, Ray Pitz and Scott Keith.