In Portland, it's not odd to see throngs of naked bicyclists covered in bright body paint riding through the city. But this year, a familiar sight is striking a more political tone.

Organizers for the group World Naked Bike Ride Portland announced plans for an "Emergency" event to protest the Trump administration’s deployment of federalized National Guard troops to the liberal stronghold.

"Emergency World Naked Bike Ride coming up in response to the militarization of our city," a post on the group's Instagram said. "Plans are being worked on."

Organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A date for the protest has not yet been provided.

Portland has hosted annual naked bike rides since 2004 as a statement on cyclists' rights, body positivity and a protest against fossil fuel companies. The event draws thousands of cyclists to the streets where they bare it all. In Oregon, public nudity is legally considered a form of protest.

The planned anti-Trump cycling protest is not affiliated with Portland World Naked Bike Ride, the group that hosts the largely attended annual event. The offshoot, named World Naked Bike Ride Portland, has hosted protests in recent years including a nude ride against Zenith Energy, a fuel storage company that has faced scrutiny over its terminal along the Willamette River in northwest Portland.

Naked cycling culture has taken hold in cities across the United States, and the rides themselves often address local issues. Last month, a nude bike ride was held in Houston to advocate for better cycling infrastructure and protest the removal of a protected bike lane.

Many of the rides – including the one protesting National Guard troops in Portland – are unaffiliated with the organization World Naked Bike Ride, which has held rides in New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Canada and more than a dozen other countries.

The mobile demonstration comes after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which have been the site of protests this year that have occasionally erupted into clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

While Trump has described the city on his social media platform as a "NEVER-ENDING DISASTER," state and local leaders have denounced the deployment, saying it’s unnecessary.

"There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city," said Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek. Oregon and Portland officials this week filed a federal lawsuit against the administration, calling the deployment "patently unlawful."

(This story was updated to add new information)

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire and Joey Garrison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can a sea of naked people on bikes change Trump's mind on Portland, Oregon?

Reporting by Christopher Cann, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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