PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A coalition of Portland faith leaders gathered in solidarity Monday night to promote peaceful resistance and oppose President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 200 National Guard troops to the city.

On Saturday, President Trump announced plans to send the troops to “war-ravaged Portland.” National Guard personnel could arrive as early as Thursday.

The Trump administration claims the move is aimed at curbing violence and protecting ICE officers, who have faced attacks at the South Portland facility during protests. However, faith leaders are pushing back against the violent narrative of the city.

“He’s created his own scenario. It’s a shame to have the President of the United States openly lie, saying we are a city at war. We are not. Our city can take care of itself,” said Reverend Dr. Mark Knutson, senior pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church.

On Monday, faith leaders and believers from different traditions filled the pews of Augustana Lutheran Church for what they called a “peaceful resistance” and a challenge to what they see as the administration’s attack on immigrant communities.

“I cannot tell you how wrong it is what’s taken place in this country. If we as people of faith don’t stand up now—like we always have in the past—who will?” said Knutson.

Among the speakers were Francisco Aguirre and Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney. LaRhonda Steele led the congregation in song, performing songs like “This Little Light of Mine” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

Every attendee left with a copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s six principles of nonviolent direct action, a call for all Oregonians to embrace and share them, especially as protests continue outside ICE facilities and federal buildings in the days ahead.