On North State Street in downtown Lake Oswego, protests against the government are held every Saturday. They started in the summer this year following the “No Kings” protest.
“People are being laid off their federal jobs,” said Linda Zimmerman, co-founder of Unite 4 Democracy.
“People are concerned about the possible impacts on health care and social security.”
Unite 4 Democracy is a local indivisible group with the goal of uniting LO and eventually creating a stronger democracy.
“Political scientist Erica Chenowith shows that when 3.5% of a population engages in sustained nonviolent action, change becomes inevitable,’’ said Zimmerman. Protests like this have created change before, like the Black Lives Matter protests and protests for Roe v. Wade.
“On No Kings Day in June, there were over 2000 people peacefully protesting in LO. This is well above 3.5% of the population of LO,” said Zimmerman. No Kings Day was a protest against the actions of President Trump and his consolidation of power.
The protests are hoping to improve the quality of life in Lake Oswego and keep the federal benefi ts that help people get by. They are aiming to give people a healthy outlet to vent their frustration with the government without violence.
“Our goal is to help people stay engaged and create a better world for all of us,” said Zimmerman.
No Kings Day 2 happened on Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to noon.
