A group by the name ADOS, or American Descendants of Slavery, held a rally at the Federal Courthouse in Eugene Monday evening.
About 100 Eugene residents listened to speeches given by Black community members who rallied for continued social reform and support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Andiel Brown, emcee for the event, introduced speakers including Lyllye Reynolds-Parker and George Russell—Black activists who have had careers in educational leadership. Brown also shared ADOS's goals for the evening and moving forward.
“We need to fully unpack the meaning and ramifications of police abolishment,” said Brown, “and revisit the historic relationship between the City of Eugene and the first Black families here. We all need to be fully informed, educated, and unified in this American struggle. A struggle that uniquely affects American descendants of slavery.”
Brown said the term ADOS is an identifier for Black people with a lineage that traces back to American slavery, rather than a political movement.
In addition to the ADOS speakers, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis gave a short presentation to show her support for the BLM movement. Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner was also in attendance.
Copyright KLCC, 2020.