On February 23 an employee of Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC), located at 458 Blair Boulevard, in Eugene, called to report a large mural that had been defaced at some time during the weekend. On February 26, an officer was dispatched to respond and take a report. The faces of at least three images of civil rights leaders depicted on the mural had damage on their faces and there was a thick line through some of the mural’s words.;
"Once again, hatred has lashed out to intimidate and strike fear in our community,” said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. “We condemn this act. As mayor, I join our City Council in our commitment to ensuring that Eugene fulfills its promise to be a welcoming, inclusive and safe community for all. This hatred has no place here."
"The beautiful mural at CALC is just a couple of blocks from my home,” said Eugene City Councilor Ward 7 Claire Syrett. “CALC and their work seeking justice for marginalized voices has been a vital part of the Whiteaker neighborhood for decades. This hateful vandalism is not just an attack on CALC or this mural honoring our nations’ civil rights leaders. It is an attack on our neighborhood and our city. I condemn these actions and those who carried them out."
CALC is a non-profit organization that “Organizes for racial justice, opposes white nationalism and hate, defends immigrant rights, decriminalizes homelessness, advocates for shelter rights, challenges militarism, works toward climate justice and uses creative arts to affect social change.”
Eugene Police has assigned a Special Investigations Unit detective on the case, and the unit has canvassed for evidence. They are seeking tips and witnesses in this case. Please call 541.682.5111 and reference the case, #21-03081.