A broad coalition of Oregon labor unions is set to rally in Portland this Saturday in a large-scale demonstration dubbed “Labor Against ICE,” marking one of the region’s most significant instances of organized labor turnout in years. The protest will begin at Elizabeth Caruthers Park at 3 p.m., with participants marching toward the nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility before looping back to the park.

According to reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), more than 30 labor organizations, including SEIU Local 503, CWA Local 7901, and the Oregon Nurses Association, have endorsed or plan to attend the event. Organizers described the level of coordination as unprecedented outside of active labor strikes. “Something like this — where it isn’t because a union is out on strike, but rather workers speaking up — is not quite that common,” said Tyler Fellini, executive director of Portland Jobs for Justice.

The demonstration follows weeks of nationwide unrest stemming from the January 24 shooting of Minneapolis nurse and union member Alex Pretti by federal agents. The incident has galvanized labor solidarity around the country, particularly in states that have seen increased federal immigration enforcement activity.

Friday’s national General Strike called for Americans to refrain from work and commerce in protest of federal immigration operations. In Oregon, many businesses remained open but pledged donations to immigrant rights organizations, according to OPB.

Union leaders say fear among workers has intensified in recent months. Melissa Unger, executive director of SEIU Local 503, said some members now carry their passports during work hours out of fear of being detained regardless of citizenship status. “It doesn’t feel like there’s rhyme or reason to how ICE is choosing to approach people or detain people,” Unger said. CWA Local 7901 president Meg Ward noted that labor organizations may use the Portland demonstration as a model for future responses should Oregon experience operations similar to those seen in Minnesota.

Additional demonstrations are planned to converge on the event, including groups coordinated through Portland’s cycling network, Shift2Bikes, as listed on their public calendar. Organizers expect participation from both union members and community allies, though exact turnout remains uncertain as of Friday.

For residents of Southwest Washington, the protest may resonate with regional labor solidarity efforts — particularly in Cowlitz County’s strong public-sector and industrial union base. Several Longview-Kelso union leaders contacted this week expressed support for protests addressing immigration enforcement and worker safety, though no local actions have been formally announced.