A large crowd gathered in downtown Eugene Tuesday to rally against the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge.
As the rain pelted the people assembled outside the old Federal Building, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy spoke of the importance of public lands to Oregonians. She said it’s time to stand up to the militants occupying the refuge.
Piercy: “Stand up for America. Stand up for Eugene. Stand up for Harney County. Stand up for the things that we care about and treasure and care about and have protected for so many years. And so I join you in saying exactly what you would say, Go home! [cheers]”
Others urged people to contact their federal representatives and the Department of Justice and demand that the occupiers be made to leave. The rally was coordinated by conservation groups. Similar events took place in Bend, Portland, Medford and Corvallis.