One of the most powerful ways for Eugenians to make their voices heard is to protest at the federal building, bringing public pressure directly to the government’s doorstep.
But now, that access is under threat, as structural restrictions have broader implications for the functioning of our democracy as a whole.
On April 30, the U.S. government fulfilled its promise of building a fence around the federal building and its plaza which will remain for roughly two years, in light of recent protests.
This is a flawed decision, and should be reversed as soon as possible. It contradicts the fundamental right of all Americans to engage with the federal government. We are a representative democracy, and when our democracy isn’t working for us, the Constitution clearly outlines our right and responsibility to resist that.
The U.S. government is blocking our ability to take our demands and grievances to the top. As one member of UO’s Young Democratic Socialists
of America branch (who was granted anonymity because they fear retaliation due to recent protest activity) put it, “It’s appalling and disgusting in our expected democracy.”
Many Eugenians have demanded an end to the Iran war, the halting of the unconscionable actions of ICE and a rethinking of the United States’ response to the Israel-Hamas War. The Federal Building has been at the epicenter of all of this. Such is our unalienable right; the founders gave us freedom of speech and assembly for a reason.
Eugene has a long history of protest, even serving as one of the front lines of the anti-Vietnam War movement. All of this is under threat from an administration diametrically opposed to public access to government, as allowing that would weaken the Trump administration’s grip on politics.
Not only is this decision an undemocratic move, its justification is also deeply flawed. The fence is in response to the protests over the last few months, particularly those against ICE activity in the area. During one such protest, glass was broken, tear gas was launched into the crowd and an active riot was declared.
However, as Jackson Smith at the Eugene City Council’s recent meeting pointed out, “A proposal for a fence denying protesters their right to protest misunderstands the cause behind the escalation of events.”
EPD and federal officers have been far from innocent. They have arrested nonviolent protestors, and used chemical weapons so strong that their use in war is considered a war crime. Even the basic fact that the windows were broken is controversial, as it isn’t clear who actually broke the glass that fateful night. The FBI’s official story is that it was the protestors, but footage from The Daily Emerald indicates that federal officers were breaking the glass to fire tear gas.
These protests can escalate beyond control, but that is not a justification for blocking people’s access to the government. In the eternal balancing act between individual rights and public safety, this decision tips too far right.
While in comparison to proposed limits on voting rights, a fence around a single Eugene building might not seem like the most pressing issue, what matters is the principle. It sets a dangerous precedent of the federal government physically blocking public engagement.
For the sanctity of our democracy, we must resist fencing of the federal building, whether by packing city council meetings, emailing our representatives or protesting wherever we can.
