‘No Kings’ rally moves Saturday to Springfield; faith march Sunday in Eugene

A protest march in Springfield and a church-led demonstration in Eugene are planned for the weekend, as organizers respond to a sharp increase in federal immigration enforcement that has driven protests across the country for more than a year.

The “No Kings 3” rally is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Springfield City Hall. 

The Eugene gathering Sunday at First Christian Church, titled “Reclaiming Christianity in the Public Square,” is one of several Palm Sunday actions organized by clergy networks across the country.

No Kings in Springfield

Saturday’s event begins with music at 10:30 a.m., at Springfield City Hall, 225 S. Fifth St., followed by an 11 a.m. rally that Stan Taylor, one of the event’s organizers, said will include a series of speakers before a noon march through Springfield ending back at City Hall.

Organizers said the march will take between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on crowd size, and conclude with music and entertainment at City Hall.

Taylor, a steering committee member of Indivisible Eugene Springfield, said the rally is part of a broader organizing effort. He described the effort as “the creation of a nationwide social movement in resistance to authoritarianism and working to build a better world.”

The rally is organized locally by the Activist Coalition of Eugene Springfield (ACES) in partnership with the Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect (SAfER).

Organizers said they chose Springfield — rather than Eugene, the location of two previous “No Kings” rallies — to expand participation and strengthen relationships across communities.

“We picked Springfield to create new alliances with the Latinx and working-class communities in Springfield,” organizers wrote, adding the effort is intended to build bridges and encourage broader regional turnout.

Speakers are expected to include community leaders from Springfield, including several Latinx speakers, Taylor said, adding that the lineup is intended to reflect local perspectives and voices.

Springfield officials, in a statement late Wednesday, March 25, noted the demonstration is not organized or sponsored by the city of Springfield, but said multiple departments have coordinated in advance to prepare for its impact. 

The city said its role is focused on public safety and logistics, including traffic management and maintaining emergency access.

A traffic and safety map released by the city shows the anticipated march route through downtown streets, including sections of Pioneer Parkway and surrounding roads.

City officials encouraged residents to plan for delays during the event.

“The police department is working with us to make this a successful and safe event,” Taylor said.

Clergy organize Palm Sunday demonstration

On Sunday, clergy and congregations will gather at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St., Eugene, for a Palm Sunday demonstration centered on religion in public life.

Valerie Austin, transitional minister at First Christian Church, said the event will begin at 2 p.m. with an introduction, welcome and prayer, followed by song practice before participants march to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza.

At the plaza, Austin said clergy and speakers from multiple faith traditions will deliver brief remarks between songs about “courage, love, and justice.”

Participating congregations include Central Presbyterian Church of Eugene, Asbury United Methodist Church in Eugene and First United Methodist Church of Eugene, among others.

Organizers said the event is intended, in part, as a response to the way Christianity is being used in public life and politics. In a joint statement, clergy involved in the event wrote that “the rise of White Christian Nationalism across the United States demonstrates an egregious abuse of the Christian faith and violates the core principles of American Democracy that ensure freedom of religion and the right to self-determination.”

“Everyone of good conscience is invited,” Austin said.