SPRINGFIELD – Roads in Springfield were closed last Saturday as thousands of protestors flooded the streets near City Hall during the third round of “No Kings” protests, a nationwide event focusing on expressing displeasure with the federal administration.
An estimated 8 million people showed up nationwide to protest, compared with the October rally’s 7 million.
An estimated 3,500 people joined Springfield’s demonstration, filling 5th Street from sidewalk to sidewalk, from B to Main Street. The empty lot behind the PublicHouse was full, too, with booths set up with resources for folks, including a first-aid station.
People were still pouring in at 11 a.m., some stationed with signs on Main Street to spread the word to passing vehicles. Songs about peace and freedom could be heard from folks in the crowd and speakers stationed around the block.
Organizers gave speeches on the steps outside City Hall, near the fountain. Springfield-based activist and organizer, Ky Fireside, said some folks might be taking a risk just by attending the event due to the color of their skin or their gender identity.
“We have to be brave enough to come to these events to defend our rights,” Fireside said.
“We wanted to bring this to Springfield because the people here are part of the fight against fascism and against the tyranny of the federal government. We are Eugene and Springfield. We are all fighting for the same right, we all deserve to exist as our true selves, and we are all fighting against the same threat,” they said. “There are people who will defend your right to be your authentic self. There are people here today who will step up to defend you at the drop of a hat,” Fireside said.
Katie Martin and her husband stood along the outskirts of the crowd and listened to the speakers. Martin held a sign that read “engaged and enraged.”
“I’m really sick of not being able to do anything,” she said. Martin said local instances of poor government practices, like the implementation of Flock cameras, have contributed to her recent activism.
Protestors marched from City Hall, down Pioneer Parkway East to Centennial Boulevard, and back on Pioneer Parkway West. The City of Springfield released a traffic advisory three days ahead of the event to support public safety and help the community plan for detours around road closures.
“The City did not sponsor the event. We did meet with the event organizers to learn about their plans so we could minimize confusion, ensure the safety of both pedestrians and drivers, and reduce disruptions,” said Loralyn Spiro, communications supervisor for Springfield Development and Public Works.
Spiro said roads were closed for approximately 7.5 hours for setup, the duration of the event, and the removal of road-closure equipment. Assistance from the Eugene Police Department was provided at the Springfield Police Department’s request. She said the transportation safety plan included police officers at designated locations to support coordination and situational awareness during the event.
“While the City’s responsibility was to uphold constitutional protections while planning for public safety and traffic impacts, we were glad the event went smoothly and that people visited downtown Springfield,” Spiro said.
Some groups wore coordinated outfits, such as matching shirts or costumes. Monarch butterflies were on many posters and clothes, symbolizing “the only monarch we support.” Inflatable frogs were scattered throughout the crowd, along with many knitted red hats.
The knitted hats represent a silent protest by Norwegian citizens during World War II. Eventually, they were deemed illegal and punishable by law to have or distribute.
“Sometimes we stumble upon our doubts and overthink dreams out of our control. But don’t let that stop you from watering the movement, the movement of the people,” said Alex Aguilar, a long-time community organizer and former city-wide MEChA director. “We may not be able to change the world in the snap of a finger, but you can change the world around you.”
In Cottage Grove
Around the same time, folks in Cottage Grove headed toward Coiner Park and stood along Main Street with their own handmade signs. In a town of around 11,000, about 250 folks showed up to protest together.
The crowd stretched from the park’s tennis courts all the way down to the parking lot. A few dozen stood across the street near Wonderland Realty.
“I’m pleased to see the turnout in Cottage Grove,” one attendee said. “I’m surprised.”
The Creswell resident said she regularly attends protests in Eugene and Springfield, but because of a bad hip, she was unsure what to expect at Springfield’s event. She said she was out protesting because of her displeasure with the federal government.
“The list is so long that I can’t sum it up in a sentence for you,” she said. “I have old signs from other (protests), and I didn’t want to bring my old sign because there’s more (to say).”
Many cars passing along Main Street honked in support of the protestors, with a few drivers waving explicit hand gestures and revving their engines. To those opposing the event, protesters responded with peace signs and unified chants. At both the Springfield and Cottage Grove protests, vehicles drove by blasting YG and Nipsey Hussle’s 2016 song, FDT.
Nancy Hagriss held up a piece of cardboard with a peace sign that read “No Kings.” She wore a green shirt with a photo of Portland’s inflatable frog-suited man during an anti-ICE protest.
The whimsical amphibian has become a sign of playful, nonviolent resistance, using humor to challenge authority and de-escalate tensions.
CG’s demonstration did not include a march; participants simply stood on the sidewalk from noon until around 2 p.m. Minimal conflict occurred at both the Springfield and Cottage Grove events.
“I don’t expect it to be anything but peaceful,” said Cottage Grove resident Peggy Harris.
