'We're here to support the kids' : Portugal. the Man plays Portland's March For Our Lives

It didn’t take much convincing to get Portugal. the Man to perform at Portland’s March For Our Lives; a march and rally against gun violence that brought out an estimated 12,000 people to the downtown streets.

“We’ve got a short break in our tour right now, we’re actually home, we got a hold of them and asked if there’s anything we can do to help,” said Zach Carothers, bassist for the band.

The Grammy-award winning group capped off a student-organized march with a free performance in Pioneer Square.

Black Thought from the The Roots made a surprise appearance on stage, and the Vernon Choir joined the band in singing Bob Dylan’s classic protest anthem, “The Times They Are A Changin’”.

But the band says the day wasn’t about them — it’s about the kids.

“We’re here to support the kids, I have a 6-year old daughter and I don’t want her to be scared going to school,” said lead singer, John Gourley.

Saturday's march in Portland reflected similar student-led actions across the country on March 24. The marches follow the recent Florida school shooting and the numerous other mass shooting tragedies in recent history.

The band said they were happy to provide the music during the movement.

“It’s all about finding common ground, and for us growing up, it was music. Whatever beliefs you have, a lot of people will come together over music, maybe it’s the music... maybe it’s the message, but it’s those little things you can do to connect the dots,” said Carothers.