Organizers of a Pride march in Oregon canceled the event, citing concerns about violence, distrust of police and a lack of support from law enforcement.
Organizers of a Pride march in Oregon have canceled it over concerns about violence and a lack of police support.
Eugene/Springfield Pride Organizers announced that the rally and march originally scheduled for Saturday will be postponed, but the group’s festival at the Lane Event Center will go ahead.
Organizers said they canceled the rally and march in part because of the presence of hate groups at last year’s event, but also because police made clear that officers would not protect marchers unless Pride obtained a permit for the parade.
“After an issue with aggressive hate groups during last year’s rally, we applied for and received a Downtown Programs Fund grant from the City of Eugene to support the event with fencing, entry gates, and the ability to better control a rapidly tense environment. Our intent was to host a street fair with a stage program that included activist speakers and entertainment,” the Eugene Pride team said in a statement.
“Pride was informed by officials on Monday.” [the Eugene Police Department] That means if we don’t apply for a parade permit, EPD may not be able to direct resources to support the march, and if something happens, we will be responsible. They said volunteers who took to the streets could be considered disorderly conduct by the EPD. This is despite the fact that EPD has made traffic stops for at least four unauthorized marches in Eugene this year, including the Charlie Kirk rally and march. ”
Tensions between Eugene police and Pride organizers have escalated in recent months. The Pride team noted that there were anti-ICE demonstrations in February that resulted in the arrest of protesters. President Donald Trump later criticized police on social media for not acting more forcefully, calling the protesters “insurrectionists,” according to CBS affiliate KOIN. reported. Police eventually declared the protest a “riot.”
Pride organizers said several trans activists were detained by ICE and claimed that violence only erupted after federal law enforcement responded aggressively to the demonstrations.
“The so-called riot began when federal agents departed the courthouse and attacked peaceful demonstrators with pepper balls and other chemical irritants,” the Pride team said in a statement. “Observers and activists emphasized that transgender women, including organizers of rallies and marches, were particularly targeted for arrest.”
Pride organizers said police harassment of transgender activists continued.
“This history of strained relations with the Eugene Police Department has eroded trust with many of the people they serve. Until we have confidence that EPD can truly partner with the community to keep everyone safe, Pride cannot ask the community to put their safety in a system they don’t trust,” Pride organizers said. “As a result of these ongoing challenges, organizers of marches and rallies are not proceeding with permits to march to the Lane Event Center.”
Police leaders later said the problem was that organizers had not obtained proper permits for the march. in press conferencePolice Chief Chris Skinner said he believes last year’s event demonstrated positive cooperation between Pride organizers and police. He read an email from organizers last year saying they were satisfied with the protection provided by police.
“It’s really disappointing at the moment. We’re in a situation where some of it is cancelled,” he said. “It’s not our choice. They are free and can do whatever they want, just like everyone else is free. Just like last year’s group, the only thing we asked is that they applied for a permit last year and worked with us.”
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
