Naked bike riders demonstrate against federal troops in 'quintessentially Portland' protest

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Protesters rallying against the Trump administration in Portland put the city's quirky and irreverent reputation on display Sunday by pedaling through the streets wearing absolutely nothing — or close to it — in an “emergency” edition of the annual World Naked Bike Ride.

Crowds that have gathered daily and nightly outside the immigration facility in Oregon's largest city in recent days have embraced the absurd, donning inflatable frog, unicorn, axolotl and banana costumes as they face off with federal law enforcement who often deploy tear gas and pepper balls.

The bike ride is an annual tradition that usually happens in the summer, but organizers of this weekend’s hastily called event said another nude ride was necessary to speak out against President Donald Trump’s attempts to mobilize the National Guard to quell protests.

Rider Janene King called the nude ride a “quintessentially Portland way to protest.”

The 51-year-old was naked except for wool socks, a wig and a hat. She sipped hot tea and said she was unbothered by the steady rain and temperatures in the mid-50s (about 12 Celsius).

“We definitely do not want troops coming into our city,” King said.

Bike riders made their way through the streets and to the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. Authorities there ordered people to stay out of the street and protest only on sidewalks or risk being arrested.

The city is awaiting the ruling of an appeals court panel on whether Trump can send out the federalized troops after a federal judge on Oct. 5 ordered a temporary hold on deployment.

“Joy is a form of protest. Being together with mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest,” the ride’s organizers said on Instagram. “It’s your choice how much or little you wear.”

Fewer people were fully naked than usual — likely because of the cool, wet weather — but some still bared it all and rode wearing only bike helmets.

Naked bike rides have thronged the streets of Oregon’s largest city every year since 2004, often holding up traffic as the crowd cycles through with speakers playing music. Some years have drawn roughly 10,000 riders, according to Portland World Naked Bike Ride.

Weber reported from Los Angeles.

EDS NOTE: NUDITY - Cyclists in the Naked Bike Ride in protest against Donald Trump's attempts to mobilize the National Guard ride across the Burnside Bridge, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

EDS NOTE: NUDITY - Cyclists in the Naked Bike Ride lay down in protest against Donald Trump's attempts to mobilize the National Guard on the Burnside Bridge, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Federal agents stand and look over protesters during the Naked Bike Ride protest at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Participants prepare for the Naked Bike Ride protest on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Participants prepare for the Naked Bike Ride protest on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Participants prepare for the Naked Bike Ride protest on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Ta'Niya Latson scored a season-high 32 points and Joyce Edwards 25 as No. 3 South Carolina rolled past North Carolina Central 106-42 on Sunday, despite missing ill starter Tessa Johnson and losing Madina Okot to injury in the first half.

Johnson had 20 points to lead the Gamecocks (9-1) to a 79-77 victory at Louisville this past Thursday, but came down with an illness and was held out. Okot, the 6-foot-6 Mississippi State transfer averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds, came off the floor midway through the second quarter and did not return.

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said afterwards that Okot was feeling sick. “It's going around,” she said.

The absences had South Carolina off balance early on and kept the Eagles (1-8) hanging around longer than some in the crowd expected.

North Carolina Central hit three of its first four shots to lead 7-4 before South Carolina got going behind Edwards to close the first quarter with a 22-7 run. Edwards had had two three-point plays and 12 points during that stretch as the Gamecocks outscored North Carolina Central 22-10 in the paint to take control.

The Gamecocks came out with some fire after the break on both sides of the ball. Latson hit a pair of 3-pointers as South Carolina opened with a 25-0 run. The Eagles missed their first 12 shots of the period and ended up getting outscored 28-2.

Tierney Coleman led North Carolina Central with 14 points.

South Carolina's defense forced 36 turnovers and had 10 blocks against the Eagles.

South Carolina's Okot came in leading the country with seven double-doubles. She was not on the bench when the team returned in the second half, coming out of the locker room midway through the third quarter. Okot finished with 10 points and a rebound shy of another double-double in 11 first-half minutes.

South Carolina's roster had just 10 players after expected post players Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts were lost for the season with injuries. While the attrition has continued in the season's opening month, Staley blocks it out as best she can.

Staley concentrates on who is available to play. “We got eight (players) today. I only see eight. We got reduced to seven, I only see seven,” she said. “We're just going to play the hand that we're dealt to the best of our ability.”

North Carolina Central goes to High Point on Dec. 14.

South Carolina hosts Penn State on Dec. 14.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

South Carolina center Madina Okot, left, pulls down an offensive rebound against North Carolina Central forward Dianna Blake during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina guard Ayla McDowell (24) looks to shoot against North Carolina Central guard Shakiria Foster (10) and forward Dianna Blake during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against North Carolina Central forward Dianna Blake during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) drives to the basket against North Carolina Central forward Aniya Finger (24), guard Tierney Coleman (4) and forward Dianna Blake (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina guard Ta'Niya Latson (00) drives against North Carolina Central guard Najah Lane during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)