Fighting back against sweeps
The city of Eugene made another big sweep of unhoused peoples’ resting spaces, this time at Washington Jefferson Park. This comes at a time when the city has among the lowest level of shelters available in recent years. This is also when Oregon is seeing the highest spike in COVID-19 cases.
Members of Stop Death on the Streets witnessed the sweep when it happened last Thursday. Those taking part in the sweep were the Eugene police and the parks department. While cop watching, they caught a cop not wearing a mask taking part in the sweep.
Stop death on the Streets is encouraging folks to call into the City Manager and Eugene Parks and Open Space offices. Additionally they are holding a car demonstration Monday at 7 PM to protest the sweep and honor the lives we have lost on the streets this year. Location of the action will be announced on their Instagram page.
Local groups form coalition to move city on natural gas and fossil fuel
At least a dozen groups have formed a new coalition to pressure the City of Eugene on its use and expansion of fossil fuel. Specifically they call out in a letter for the city to end its franchise agreement with Northwest Natural unless it follows the Climate Recovery Ordinance adopted by Eugene in 2014 and modified in 2016. They also stand in opposition expansion of gas lines in the Downtown Riverfront site.
Among the signees of the letter that was addressed to Mayor Vinis, City Councilors, and City Manager Medary, on Nov. 18 are Cascadia Wildlands, Eugene DSA, NAACP Eugene/Springfield, and Springfield Eugene Tenants Association. Organizers are encouraging folks to write LTEs and testify at City Council.
More write-ups
Local links
Local abolitionist and mutual aid groups launch fundraiser to support imprisoned firefighters. Their goal is to raise $200 for each of the 285 firefighters that helped fight some of Oregon’s worst fires on record that took place earlier this year. Donate here.
We continue to see below freezing temperatures in Eugene/Springfield and one of the only places of refuge for the unhoused, Egan, is in need of space and volunteers
4J School Board will start accepting live public comments on Dec. 2
Student workers note changes while working through a pandemic
Even though there has been reforms, Measure 11, which provides mandatory minimums for several criminal offenses is still law in Oregon
How Copaganda Works: A Look at Eugene Police Department’s Digital Newsroom
The week ahead
Monday, 7 PM — Stop Death on the Streets No housing, no peace car demo
Monday, 7:30 PM — City of Eugene City Council Public Forum
Wednesday, 3-6 PM — Occupy Medical Pop-up clinic @ The Mission
Friday, 5-7 PM — CORE Street Feed @ Spectrum
Friday, 7 PM — Cascadia Wildlands Wonderland auction