SALEM, Ore. (Feb. 28, 2026) — An estimated 2,000 people gathered at the Oregon State Capitol on Friday as part of a planned “All-School Walkout” that drew students from multiple Salem-Keizer middle and high schools, according to authorities.
The event, organized and sponsored by Latinos Unidos Siempre, began around 11:30 a.m. Feb. 27. Students conducted coordinated walkouts at schools across the city before marching toward the Capitol grounds.
The Salem Police Department said officers, including members of the Mobile Response Team and Traffic Team, were assigned to monitor the event and respond to calls for service due to the expected turnout.
The Willamette Valley Communications Center received several reports of groups of students marching in various areas and blocking traffic. Officers were dispatched to those locations to help ensure safety.
As the march progressed, officers also monitored the arrival of counter-demonstrators who engaged with students and adults as they moved toward the Capitol. Both Salem police and the Oregon State Police monitored interactions between the groups.
By approximately 12:30 p.m., about 2,000 participants had gathered on the Capitol grounds, police said. Officers continued monitoring interactions between event participants and counter-demonstrators.
At one point, counter-demonstrators moved toward the area of 12th Street and Center Street, where a large group of students engaged with them, creating a disturbance, according to police.
During the interaction, a Salem patrol vehicle was briefly surrounded, and water bottles were thrown toward the counter group. The counter-demonstrators left the area as demonstrators followed. Officers contacted those involved and remained on scene until the groups separated. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made at that time.
At approximately 2 p.m., participants marched around the Capitol without incident. The event concluded around 4 p.m., authorities said.
As the gathering ended, officers responded to multiple calls regarding a reported fight near the 300 block of Cottage Street NE. Officers contacted several individuals, but no one wished to pursue charges or identify themselves as victims at that time. The department said the incident remains under investigation.
Throughout the event, officers periodically directed participants back onto sidewalks to maintain traffic flow and public safety. Police also conducted several traffic stops for observed safety violations, including passengers hanging out of vehicles, and issued citations where appropriate.
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