About a dozen tents have re-appeared on a concrete slab of county-owned property in downtown Eugene known as the “Butterfly” lot. Campers are back to protest how the city and county are dealing with homelessness.
The scene of cardboard and tarp covered tents has returned to 8th and Oak Street. Campers strongly object to the county’s plan of establishing an overnight curfew.
Peeking out from his tent, 65-year old “Bob” says he’s not really happy about being so exposed downtown. There is too much activity and this weekend, temperatures dropped below 30 degrees.
“I’m just trying to get my next move organized because I’m going back over to 99. It’s a lot safer and this is just asking for it.”
Two weeks ago, the county relocated campers from the Butterfly lot to a gravel parking area on Highway 99.
In a statement, Lane County called the Butterfly lot camping “illegal” and cited concerns over health and the safety of all people in the downtown core.
