The Eugene City Council voted Monday evening to postpone the decision on whether to allow the Occupy Eugene movement to stay in Washington-Jefferson Park past its Dec. 15 deadline, opting to revisit the issue this Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Dozens of protesters held a candlelight vigil outside the council chambers, leading in to a crowded meeting hall. The council created the Dec. 15 deadline in a meeting last October, and since then Occupy Eugene has come under scrutiny as an unnecessary expense for the city, as well an alleged harbor for criminal activity and unsanitary conditions.
The decision to postpone the ruling came after more than an hour of public input in a forum where both sides were represented. Many people asked for the city council to agree to an extension of the deadline for reasons varying from the political work they are doing to the community support fostered in the camp.
“Not for one moment have the people of Occupy Eugene lost sight of the fact that this is a protest. It is not a homeless camp, we do not call it that,” said Jamal Jonna, a member of the camp.
Other presenters spoke about how the camp community is positively influencing its occupants.
“In the recent weeks I’ve seen real change in the eyes and faces of Occupy Eugene,” said Carol Caldwell, a supporter of the group. “I see purpose, a sense of belonging in our community. I see improved health, I see them serving thousands of meals thanks to generous donations.”
Yet many members of the audience also argued against extending the camping pass to allow the group to stay in the park. Many cited health and maintenance issues, in addition to the monetary burden on taxpayers.
“I am very concerned that over $115,000 of our taxpayer money has been paid as a result of allowing Occupy Eugene to stay in a public park. Camping is not free speech,” said Mark Callahan, a south Eugene resident.@@I think I interviewed this guy about the emX on West 11th@@
After the open forum session, the city councilors voiced their opinions on the issue before deciding to push back an actual vote. Councilor Mike Clark said he was nervous about accountability among the group’s members, and the ability of its leaders to speak for the rest of the group. Councilor Pat Farr also cited water sanitation and other health issues as additional problems with the camp.
“It’s just not a tenable situation, ” Farr said. “Looking at this camp, I’m not satisfied with the water run-off. There is a serious potential for an outbreak of disease, an outbreak of sickness.”
Councilors Alan Zelenka and George Brown voiced cautious support for a camping extension, but were happy for the extra time to look into the issue further.
Many speakers admitted the camp was not perfect and asked for an extension to continue improving the camp from the inside out.
City council members will meet this Wednesday in a work session. They will consider the possibility of a 45-day extension for the Occupy Eugene camp, and if so, the eventual transition to services that can replace the camp.