Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in downtown Portland and marched onto interstates 5 and 84 on Wednesday as they protested Donald Trump's election.

After roaming on both sides of the Willamette River during rush hour, at times chanting "Not my president," they entered I-5 near the Moda Center and closed it down. Authorities blocked off northbound and southbound lanes on a stretch from the Fremont Bridge to the Marquam Bridge in one of multiple freeway closures during the protest.

Dozens of protesters carried signs, some reading: "Don't Make Excuses for Racists," "Back Off My Uterus, Pence" and "Black Lives Matter." Police tweeted that about 2,000 protesters took part in the demonstration, which came on the heels of a march that blocked traffic on I-5 in Portland early Wednesday.

Before the crowd headed onto I-5, it stopped outside the arena, home of the Portland Trail Blazers, as some people shouted: "Love trumps hate." Protesters later marched on I-84 and eventually returned to I-5.

Earlier, protesters marched against traffic and prompted TriMet to shut down MAX platforms around Pioneer Courthouse Square. They gathered outside City Hall and crossed from downtown over the Morrison Bridge to the east side, bypassing an exit where they could have accessed I-5.

As the protest began, buses and multiple trains were at a standstill on Sixth Avenue during the evening commute. Throughout the night, many motorists who had to stop to make way for the crowd encouraged the protesters, honking horns and giving them high-fives.

Genevieve Gahagan, 22, of Beaverton, said she was protesting against the Electoral College and to show that Trump doesn't reflect her values and the values of a lot of other people.

She had the choice between mourning and demonstrating and she chose action, she said. She self-identifies as a queer woman and said she believes Trump poses a threat to her rights.

Marcher K.C. Jones, an 18-year-old Beaverton artist, said he feels betrayed by the election outcome. He's fearful for the next four years -- especially as a man of color.

Sage Dupre, a 17-year-old Portland Community College student, said she was heartbroken that the country elected someone who doesn't believe in equality.

The demonstration appeared mostly peaceful. Police, however, tweeted that they received a report of someone among the protesters breaking a window, that several people looted a gas station and that there was a report of small fires near protesters in the Pioneer Courthouse Square area.

Some protesters dragged newsstands and other objects into the street and others picked them back up. A protester sprayed an anarchy symbol on a downtown storefront window. Someone tagged an overpass. Media reports show additional vandalism.

People launched fireworks or other projectiles into the sky on at least two occasions.

A police spokesman said around 9 p.m. that he wasn't aware of any arrests.

At least 200 protesters gathered for the earlier demonstration, which started soon after Hillary Clinton conceded and Trump addressed the nation.

The election has prompted protests across the country, including in Eugene.

Portland protesters promised to hit the streets again Thursday.

-- Eder Campuzano of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015