Lane County leaders announced a commitmentto unity and respect today [Friday] in response to increased incidents of hate and bias since the Presidential election.
Faye Stewart is Chair of the Lane County Board of Commissioners. He says he’s heard from colleagues, friends and his children about hateful speech and feelings of anxiety and stress. He says he felt it was important to make a statement of the values of the community.
Stewart: “We need to move forward together and be respectful of all people and as stated there’s no place for hate, bias or division. We need to be inclusive and bring people together.”
Stewart says the mayors of virtually all the cities in Lane County and others have signed a joint statementof unity. Eric Richardson, head of the NAACP of Eugene Springfield says his office has been inundated with calls since the election.
Richardson: “Immigrants, people of color, all feel threatened. Women as well. I’ve had a couple women come to the NAACP offices really in tears, days after the election.”
Richardson is glad to see government leaders stepping up.