I ask that the Democratic Party of Lane County move the venue for the DeFazio Dinner scheduled for April 4 from the Graduate hotel in Eugene.

The Graduate and its corporate parent, Hilton Hotels, are known for lodging ICE agents and for dropping properties that refuse to house the agents who are terrorizing our immigrant neighbors. 

It is a slap in the face of the community to hold a progressive event in this venue. At the Eugene Federal Building two blocks away, folks are risking their lives and health to stand for our vulnerable community members. The negative optics of this choice and the ill will generated will haunt the party. Having protesters attend the event will garner negative press that will linger long after the decision to generate money for Hilton Hotels.

The justification offered by the local party for continuing with the event at the hotel — that it is a franchise and there is no contract with ICE — does not change the fact that anyone who chooses to attend this fundraiser is financially supporting Hilton Hotels. 

Support vulnerable community members and move the DeFazio Dinner from the Graduate hotel.

Terri Pratt
Springfield