Black Lives Matter

Weeks after the Eugene Police Department declared a riot on May 29, the department declared one again last Saturday, July 25. Demonstrators in Eugene gathered to stand in solidarity with Portland protesters in opposition of the Federal Department of Homeland Security and against police brutality. 

The Eugene Mayor and Police Department held a press conference Monday to address the protests on Saturday and Sunday. EPD explained why they used certain tactics, such as tear gas.

Last Wednesday, five people were arrested while protesting against police brutality outside of Eugene Police Department headquarters. Now, protesters are speaking out about mistreatment while in custody.

Saturday afternoon, Washington Jefferson Park in Eugene was teeming with the sound of basketball games and chants for Black justice.  It was all part of the “Speak Up and Dribble” event.

In the third episode of KLCC's special series covering Black Lives Matter protests in Eugene and Springfield, Black Unity leaders stand in solidarity with Portland protesters, All Lives Matter protesters chant "Black Lives Matter," and Eugene's long-awaited City Council work session on policing is right around the corner. Join KLCC News Director Rachael McDonald and reporters Elizabeth Gabriel and Nathan Bouquet in the latest episode of the Northwest Passage.

Roughly 200 people met at North Eugene High School on Wednesday for a protest led by Black Unity. Throughout the night, protesters showed solidarity with BLM supporters in Portland.

Black student-athletes at Oregon State University have launched a public awareness campaign for racial justice issues.

A state commission is advising against displaying Confederate flags in historic Oregon cemeteries.

The topic of displaying Confederate flags in historic Oregon cemeteries will be addressed in a meeting later this month.

A Black Lives Matter protest in the unincorporated community of Deadwood on Saturday attracted up to 60 attendees. Organizers planned the event as an outlet for children to stand in solidarity with the widespread movement. It's only one step organizers said they are taking in the fight for racial justice in their community.

A Black Unity activist suspects “pure anger” was behind a driver’s motive for striking him with his vehicle at a children’s march last month.

On this episode of the Northwest Passage podcast, tensions between police and protesters in Springfield flair, a hit-and-run during a peaceful children's march leads to increased friction between protesters and the Eugene Police Department, meanwhile EPD says they have plans for reform.

The Eugene Police Department has unveiled its initial steps toward reform in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the nationwide protests that followed. 

The May 25 death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody has sparked national outrage, and has reignited the Black Lives Matter Movement in towns and cities across the country. In Eugene and Springfield protesters have held marches nearly every day since May 29.

Black Unity protesters marched in Eugene Wednesday night in what the group calls an education protest. Approximately 150 people marched through the Whiteaker neighborhood.