On their eighth night of marching, Friday night, Black Lives Matter protesters aimed to keep the momentum going. While BLM organizers have their sights set on police reform, other protesters in Eugene want to abolish police altogether.
Meeting once again, at the Federal Courthouse, Black Lives Matter protesters celebrated youth and honored what would have been Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday by dancing. Taylor, an EMT, was in her Louisville, Kentucky home when she was fatally shot by police on March 13.
At the rally, Moses Jackson announced organizers want the “immediate resignation” of Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner. He also called for ending the use of EPD officers in schools.
“Where is [Skinner] tonight?” Jackson asked the crowd of more than 500 people. “I contacted him to come out tonight and he won’t. Weird.”
Jackson also invited Chelsea Swift, who works with White Bird CAHOOTS. She was one of the organizers for a protest that occurred an hour earlier for housing justice.
The housing justice protest was held less than a mile away in a parking lot on Pearl and 8th Street. They opposed the closing of two temporary emergency respite and shelter sites in Springfield and Eugene. Housing justice protesters had joined the Black Lives Matter protest around 6 p.m.
“We will show up at all intersections of racism and human rights and empower POC [people of color] voices and create tangible goals alongside of their goals in our community to end all state violence,” Swift said in her speech.
Marchers then made their way across Broadway Street and Franklin Boulevard to Matthew Knight Arena. Outside of the building, attendees were asked to sit while speakers gave speeches about police reform and asked for suggestions. But not all attendees were on board with reform.
"We are one movement," said Clea Ibrahim in an attempt to address differences. "There is not two sides to this. If you feel like you are going to be getting bitter, talk to someone about it, don't yell at other people, don't try and start conflict with other people because this is one movement and that's what the other people want."
Eventually, a group formed off to the side where some participants argued with one another, while organizers with the main group tried to pull attention back to the speakers.
While protesters remained mostly peaceful, the difference in how and if policing should occur in Eugene ultimately fractured the entire group. Those who held stronger anti-police views, about 100, formed their own march and headed to the Lane County Jail.
Along the way, the smaller group chanted "Black Lives Matter", "George Floyd", and "Breonna Taylor," in addition to anti-police chants. Once they arrived at the jail, a speaker asked the group to center the voices of black and indigenous people of color. They also stated they will no longer meet at the Federal Courthouse and instead will meet at the jail.
Meanwhile, the larger group at Black Lives Matter rally made their way through the University of Oregon’s campus before concluding the march at the Federal Courthouse. In an effort to spread the movement, BLM organizers said they will meet at the Springfield Library on Saturday. They also have plans to hold a Juneteeth event.
Both Friday night groups ended their demonstrations before midnight.
Copyright 2020 KLCC
This post has been updated to better indicate that both groups support the Black Lives Matter movement.
