Portland Mayor Keith Wilson gives remarks during a joint press conference with elected and community leaders to address the June 14 "No Kings" planned protest. (Staff Photo/Jonathan House)

Portland regional leaders support protesters who plan to demonstrate peacefully against the Trump administration this weekend, but warn that anyone who breaks the law will be prosecuted.

Elected and community leaders held a joint press conference at Portland City Hall ahead of what are expected to be large “No Kings” protests planned in Portland and throughout the region for Saturday, June 14. Other demonstrations already have happened this year, drawing many thousands of protesters, and more events are expected to continue later in the region.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said peaceful demonstrations are welcome because Portland is a proud sanctuary city in a sanctuary state, with community members under threat by the federal crackdown on immigrants.

“Peaceful protests are a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Wilson, who went on to say that violence and property damage will not be tolerated.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez agreed, adding that his office will prosecute anyone who breaks the law, whether their politics are on the right or left.

“Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters had their voices drowned out by a handful of bad actors,” Vasquez said about the violence that flared during the social justice protests in 2020.

Police Chief Bob Day said the police are committed to free speech but also will protect the rights of all Portlanders. He referenced recent arrests during protests at the ICE building in South Portland, which is adjacent to affordable housing projects, businesses, a school and a trolley line.

“We are balancing the interests of residents, businesses, and the risk of fire,” Day said, apparently alluding to recent arrests for arson and criminal mischief.

Other speakers included: Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson; Latino Network Executive Director Tony DeFalco; Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell; Portland Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney; Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee; and Augustana Lutheran Church Pastor W.J. Mark Knutson.

Groups organizing “No Kings” protests across the country include Indivisible, American Federation of Teachers, ACLU, Public Citizen, MoveOn, 50501, Stand Up America, Common Defense, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, and more than 100 others.

“The protests come in response to President Trump’s escalating use of military force in American cities and a federal agenda that would strip health care from 16 million people while expanding ICE raids targeting immigrants and protestors,” a press release announcing the protests said.

One Saturday protest is set to begin around  noon at downtown Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Some of the event organizers previously held a “Hands Off!” event on April 5 that drew a crowd of at least 12,000 people.