Today our community is brightened by two celebrations of Juneteenth, the annual recognition of the final emancipation of slaves in Texas in 1865. This day began early with artists who assembled at 5 am and volunteered their skill and time to paint “Black Lives Matter” in bold yellow on 8th Avenue in front of the Federal Courthouse.  This afternoon, the first of two celebrations with food, music, children’s games, and historical information will draw the community together; followed by another Juneteenth celebration at Alton Baker Park on Saturday.  This is all good: protests demanding action; and community gathering to honor Black culture and history in our community, State and nation.  I am grateful to the organizers and volunteers who have orchestrated peaceful nightly protests and who bring us together in community this weekend.  As a city, we’re respecting the call to gather for Juneteenth, counting on the organizers will do all they can to ensure safety with respect to COVID by encouraging people to wear masks and maintain physical distancing.  

In the midst of continuing demonstrations for racial justice and turbulence about the police response, Council stepped into the work of COVID recovery and ongoing commitments.  Council sessions reviewed the police response; updated the status of our investment in the TAC report and solutions to homelessness; considered a charter change to institute STAR voting for mayoral and council races; and discussed renewal of the library levy.

Following is the statement I made at the joint press conference on Friday, June 5th,  where I was joined by Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg and Lane County Commission Board Chair Heather Buch

This was a big week for the community and the state, and that was reflected in council discussions.  The week was bookended by a staff presentation on Monday of the city’s Recovery Planning; and on Friday, Lane County joined 27 other Oregon counties in beginning Phase 1 re-opening.