Thread by @jwcroxton

I'm up earlier than usual to check out this "Stop The Sweeps" protest on the North Bank of the Willamette River.

https://twitter.com/NACeugene/status/1368964245220597760

There are a handful of people here now gathered around a banner that says "People have the right to resist - stop the sweeps. Two EPD cars are blocking the way towards the sweep.

I had been working on that tweet for a while and many more folks have shown up in that time. I'd say about 30-40 people.

Signs are available on the sidewalk behind the banner.

Im being told that the sweep is happening right now and we are being blocked from seeing it.

Definitely a first for me.

EPD left their barricade and people are wondering what this means

A speaker has picked up the mic and thanks everyone for showing up and says that the crowd will be marching up the road to an overpass where they will make noise and rally in support.

The crowd is marching

The march makes its way up onto the Ferry Street Bridge

The march is on the Ferry Street Bridge and a banner reading "Sweeps Kill" hangs over.

Members of the press including myself are walking down the trail to see what we can see.

Well, we got here.

There are at least five EPD officers, a handful of tents, and a representative from the city's park/rec that I recognize from other sweeps.

One thing I've noticed: this "blockade" is really pissing off locals who walk the bike path. Especially the older folks who have to walk all the way back the way they came.

One woman said "do you realize how close we are to home otherwise?"

The march is mostly heading back to its original meeting point and some are going to where EPD is.

The crowd is chanting towards officers blocking the bike path.

"Killing the poor and serving the rich," one protester said to the cops

Many are asking "where are you moving people to?"

No response.

More EPD officers have arrived

I count six SUVs in the parking lot now

https://twitter.com/jwcroxton/status/1369345618519281667?s=19

The leader of this protest says that mutual aid groups have arrived to help move the houseless and are being denied entry "because of the protest."

Protesters are leaving so that EPD will *maybe* allow mutual aid groups in.

I spoke with one resident of the camp, Suzanne White, who has been houseless for nine years.

"I thought Arkansas was bad. This is worse. I've lost daughters to the state all because CPS would not help. I've seen them offer more help to those drugged up than to those sober."

A truck with Parks and Rec hauling a trailer full of belongings leaves — and almost gets stuck doing so

I stayed long enough to see mutual aid allowed through and I'm now heading out.

/thread

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