I am a sophomore at South Eugene High School, researching the state of protests in Eugene for a group project in Civics class. My classmates and I are exploring potential ways to create a safer environment for protesters and law enforcement officials. This research is for a school project, but the topic of protests is very real and serious in our city.

The steps the local and federal government have taken to deter protesters have worried me. On Jan. 30, the FBI claimed that a protest at the federal building turned violent, with a riot being declared and anti-crowd measures like tear gas being used. During this protest, multiple windows were broken, with videos being released from both local protesters and the FBI, each claiming that the windows were broken by the other.

I agree that violent shows of resistance are not the safe or responsible ways to protest, but I am still very concerned about the constitutionality of building a fence around the federal building downtown. It seems to go against the First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly. My group and I believe that the right to protest is extremely important, both to draw attention to important problems, and also to express freedom of speech and assembly. This concern is not uncommon, and many of my classmates agree with me, along with many community members. 

The fence that was hastily constructed around the federal building is just the most recent development in a problem that has been going on for years. I participated in the “No Kings” protest along with thousands of others, and it empowered me and made me feel like my voice was heard.

The fence is a limitation on our community’s right to assemble, and there are certainly better solutions to be found. The sentiment is true that protests sometimes get violent and out of control, and neither side is innocent, but putting up a giant fence in the middle of Eugene is not the correct solution.

Tashi Alessi
Eugene