Eugene-Springfield Protesters Plan Multiple Demonstrations This Weekend

Healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members are gathering at the intersection of MLK Boulevard and Cardinal Way in Springfield this afternoon for the "Save Our ER Docs" rally, one of at least seven demonstrations scheduled across Eugene and Springfield between March 12 and 15. The rally, running from 3 to 5:30 p.m. with speeches beginning at 4:45 p.m., is directed at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center's decision to award its emergency department staffing contract to a corporate medical group based in Georgia, a move protesters say threatens local ER doctors.

Earlier today, Indivisible held its "Signs of Fascism" standing protest at the Federal Building from 10 a.m. to noon, the first in a string of demonstrations that will return to that downtown location through the end of the week.

Thursday brings two more actions. The Revolutionary Women's Committee of Eugene is gathering at Washburne Park to protest what the group describes as "imperialism and Zionism in the U.S. and on an international scale." At the Federal Building, the Raging Grannies are holding their standing protest from noon to 2 p.m.

Friday's schedule expands geographically. Indivisible is organizing separate protests in both Eugene and Coburg to oppose any future Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities being built in Oregon. Specific meeting points and times for those two actions were not confirmed as of publication.

Saturday closes the week at the Federal Building with back-to-back standing protests. SLUG Queens Resist! takes the noon hour from 1 to 2 p.m., followed immediately by the Eugene Inflatables Protest from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Federal Building has become a consistent focal point for demonstrators this week. Eugene Together Strong, which maintains a schedule of standing protests at that location at eugenetogetherstrong.org, lists actions happening every day of the week, with the groups and times above drawn from that calendar.