This evening, Eugene Police was joined by
Federal Protective Service, and Eugene Springfield Fire EMS as partners to
continue their focus on protecting life safety, property, preventing criminal violent
activity, allowing peaceful march and the safe movement of pedestrian and
vehicle traffic.
“We had a largely lawful protest earlier
today, where organizers worked to provide a safe framework for their free
speech,” said Chief Chris Skinner. “Later, there was a group that appeared to
have a different set of goals. These protesters we have been seeing as daylight
falls appear to be younger and excited about creating conflict. This comes at a
cost to the community. Our local businesses and residents can’t afford and
don’t deserve to have to pay for what occurs when mobs get out of control.”
At about 8 p.m. May 31, a group of protesters began converging at the Broadway and Olive intersection. The cell grew in size to about 50 and some in the group began hitting light poles with a hammer to make noise. There were people sitting in the street and they were admonished to disperse with the goal of compliance. The majority left, but some continued in the roadway. One person was taken into custody as announcement to disperse continued. Gas was deployed at 10/Willamette at 8:20 p.m. A crowd began forming at Kesey Square and announcements were made regarding the temporary downtown curfew put into place by the City of Eugene around 6:27 p.m. A cell of three people went eastbound at 10th and Willamette knocking over mailboxes at 9:18 p.m. Four people were arrested around this time.
A group of 50-60 protesters at 8th
and Mill continued to block traffic, and there were concerns about Ferry Street
Bridge becoming involved. Police shut down the bridge. The group moved to the
sidewalks.
The City of Eugene extended the temporary
curfew to apply citywide by 11 p.m. The crowds were admonished to disperse.
Although the crowd moved from 8th and Mill, they did not disperse,
but continued to move together as a unit toward 13th and Alder. The
direction appeared to be moving toward the UO campus. Multiple people who were
serving as aggressors were arrested. Gas was deployed at Kincaid and 14th
around 11:11 p.m. A whole group was still moving around the 15th and
Lincoln area at 11:45 p.m.
Curfew
Information
The
City of Eugene is enacted a temporary nighttime curfew in downtown Eugene from
9:00 p.m. Sunday May 31 through 6:00 a.m. June 1. This was extended to apply
citywide at 11:00 p.m.
City
Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary implemented the curfew to ensure public safety
following incidents of violence and damage in Eugene.
The
curfew applies to the area from High Street to Monroe Street and from 14th
Avenue to 4th Avenue. During the hours of the curfew, people are not
allowed to travel on any public street or in any public place in that area.
Prohibited travel includes automobile, bicycle, foot, public transit and any
other mode of personal transportation.
If
illegal and unsafe behaviors extend beyond the designated area, the curfew area
will be extended citywide as necessary.
The
curfew does not apply to clearly identifiable and credentialed media, people
seeking emergency care, fleeing dangerous circumstances, sheltering in place,
traveling to and from employment or making commercial deliveries.
Violating
the city’s curfew order is a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by a fine up
to $500 or confinement in jail up to 100 days, or both fine and imprisonment.