During what was intended to be a panel discussion between Eugene mayoral candidates and high school students Tuesday night at the Hilton Eugene and Conference Center, one candidate announced at the Youth Voices discussion he would drop out of the race and about 15 anarchists dominated the dialogue.
“This is a cutthroat capitalistic system, and I don’t want to be a part of it,” mayoral candidate Uriah Murray said after hearing Eugene Anarchists for Torrey (EAT) member “Cookie Dow” criticize the effectiveness of government and the role money plays in politics.
The four other candidates at the forum included current Mayor Jim Torrey, Alexa Doty, Michael Glownia and V. Lazar Makyadath. Not present were Micah Rueber and James “Izzy” Whetstine.
“More kids would have probably asked questions if the anarchists weren’t here,” South Eugene High School senior and Youth Voices member Bob Nardo said. “We couldn’t talk about the issues as much as we would have liked to.”
An EAT member calling himself “Rotten” said he was there to dissuade voting, to speak out against government and voice support for Torrey. The group believes Torrey’s reelection would promote voter disillusionment and anarchy in Eugene, according to an EAT pamphlet.
EAT members also interrupted Torrey’s State-of-the-City address Jan. 13 and met with Torrey Jan. 23, until the mayor walked out of the meeting after members began playing musical chairs.
“The students who organized this forum might feel that their event has been belittled, but it hasn’t been belittled at all,” he said. “This was the biggest event I’ve attended so far in my campaign.”
Matt Elliott, Sheldon High School senior and Youth Voices co-director, said that though he was saddened by the low number of students in attendance, the event succeeded in educating those present about the election and local politics.
Between pleas for order and civility, candidates addressed balancing economic growth and environmental protection, tax benefits for local businesses, homelessness, prostitution and after-school programs for students.
Youth Voices overrun
Daily Emerald
April 18, 2000
Azle Malinao-Alverez Emerald
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