Do you remember the Summer of Love? Well, welcome to the Summer of Fear, Eugene style.
Civil protesters are afraid that their basic rights to assemble and peacefully demonstrate are being trampled on. The anarchists — at least the small group within the larger congregation in town that continually pushes the envelope when it comes to protesting — are afraid that the police are not only out to torture them, but are keeping tabs on their personal movements as well.
The police and city officials aren’t without fear. The police sense that protesters are out to truly harm them, with rally chants of “Kill the pigs!” as evidence to back up their claims. Business owners are also watching their backs, scared by masked marauders terrorizing restaurants and banks, toting signs declaring “Kill the Yuppies” and “Rob the Rich, Arm the Poor.” And city officials are seemingly afraid to make any decisions that don’t please all parties, which of course is impossible.
And some of us in the media are afraid, as well, but in a twisted way. As one Associated Press reporter told an Emerald reporter at Sunday’s anarchist gathering in Washington-Jefferson Park, “If this doesn’t turn violent, then there’s no story.” Thanks pal, for making the rest of us sound ethical and responsible, in contrast to your fear of not being able to write about mayhem and bloodshed.
How did we get to this point people? When did our Emerald City, historically known for its desire to hear all sides, become a “They said / They said” community, a mumbo-jumbo of rhetoric? At what point did our strive for diversity turn into suspicion, and fear?
Laying blame, or pinpointing the exact incident that caused problems, is like trying to answer the age-old chicken-egg question. This past weekend, did the riots occur because of the anarchists’ tactics? Or were the anarchists’ tactics in response to the police intimidation and harassment?
So who’s guilty? Realistically, it’s a combination of actions from all the groups involved, though neither group is willing to admit to any wrongdoing on their part.
Are the police non-tolerant? People walking down the streets, essentially causing little to no trouble — reports are that just one window was broken over the four-day ordeal — certainly doesn’t warrant the response of a police saturation throughout the downtown area. Yet, is it any surprise that the police took action when the activists’ game of Red Rover stopped traffic in the street? No.
But releasing a homeless man from the Lane County Jail and refusing him possession of his own shirt and coat, his only protection from the elements and insects, is spiteful.
The anarchists’ “Carnival Against Capital” at Washington-Jefferson Park caused little fear to anyone who attended. The heavy police presence just blocks away while the rally played out probably caused little fear to anyone passing the forces. City officials certainly weren’t afraid Sunday afternoon in the light of day — several councilors were on hand at the rally — but what about when they return to their chambers? Will they have the bravery to make tough decisions?
And what about Joe and Jane Citizens? Fear shouldn’t be a part of our vocabulary, yet approximately 45 Eugene residents — business owners, protesters from all slices of life and just concerned citizens — got up at a June 8 Police Commission public forum and expressed just that sentiment: fear.
That’s wrong no matter how you look at it. We’re not so idealistic to think that the Summer of Love will ever return. But, we do want to see the Summer of Fear end before it really gets started.