Social Justice

Government officials and organizations across the country passed resolutions in response to Black Lives Matter protests last year. They said they would better support Black community members. However, not everyone is impressed with local efforts to help Oregonians of color.

The Johnson Teen Center is an offshoot of the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis. Many of their programs, including a panel addressing racism, help youth of color find their voice.

It’s Pride month, with many LGBTQ people hoping for more acceptance and support.  That includes Eugene’s transgender community. 

One year ago, on May 29, 2020, what started as a vigil to observe and mourn the killing of George Floyd turned into a violent destructive demonstration in downtown Eugene.

  KLCC’s Rachael McDonald spoke with Register-Guard reporter Adam Duvernay.

Four days after George Floyd’s murder last May, Lane County residents of all backgrounds took their anger and sadness to the street to fight injustice, apathy and, sometimes, their own feelings of hopelessness — and continued to do so nearly every day for weeks through a summer of action.

Barbara Dellenback speaks with Teressa Raiford, the founder and executive director of Don’t Shoot Portland. The organization is a black-led, community driven non profit in Portland, Oregon which advocates for accountability to create social change in the spaces of human rights and racial justice.

The conversation touches on issues around demilitarizing and defunding the police, and how white people can support communities of color, and art and activism.

Last night, about 50 people gathered in Springfield near the Willamette River to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women.  

The City of Springfield released a report Thursday detailing the findings of an investigation into the city police department’s use of force. The document includes a number of recommendations for the Springfield Police Department, but it ultimately concludes most of the officer’s actions were not considered excessive uses of force during the Jul. 29 protest in Thurston. 

Approximately 100 people gathered at the federal courthouse in downtown Eugene Sunday to speak out against racism towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Local reactions to anti-Asian violence in the headlines includes the Eugene Police Department and community activists.

At the beginning of the pandemic when Oregon entered its first shut down, UO senior Emily Fowler found herself living back in Portland with her family and facing all online classes. One of those classes was with political science professor, Dr. Alison Gash. Gash discovered many of her students were experiencing this unprecedented situation alone or away from their peer support systems. 

A program for LGBTQ youth on the coast is nearing its first year of operation in rural Lincoln County.

A community Thanksgiving dinner that has taken place for decades in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood isn’t happening this year. But, others have stepped up to carry on the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.

Local activists with Black Unity are celebrating Joe Biden’s defeat of Donald Trump, albeit with measured optimism.  The group held an event tonight to discuss the election’s outcome.

From police reform to climate change policies and healthcare access—there’s a lot on the line for young voters in this presidential election. Young Democratic and Republican activists of color in Eugene are prepared to make their voices heard this Nov.

Springfield City Councilors were provided an update during their Monday night meeting on the investigation into the city Police Department’s use of force. The investigation is taking place after police officers were videotaped hitting Black Unity protesters in July.

If you’ve been at marches and protests across Oregon lately, you might have spotted – or even hugged – an unmistakable, fluffy figure: Caesar the No Drama Llama.  Tall, white, and furry from head to toe, Caesar and his handler, Larry McCool, have tried to be a calming force in a year of unrest.  KLCC’s Brian Bull produced this self-narrative of the duo.

In an opinion piece this week, the Managing Editor at Eugene’s Register-Guard says the newspaper- and its corporate owner- have made a pledge to diversity in staffing and reporting.

The Eugene-Springfield NAACP branch unveiled two community support projects at Our Reedemer Lutheran Church Monday morning.

After years of criticism, the University of Oregon is covering up four murals.  They’re considered dated works that promote white supremacy.

Hundreds of people marched through Downtown Eugene Saturday in support of Black Trans Lives. The goal of the event, hosted by Black Unity and Eugene Pride, was to highlight the intersection between the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities.