Hundreds of protesters gathered Wednesday evening in downtown Eugene to rally against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Lane County and around the nation.

The protest, which was announced Tuesday on social media by local Socialist groups, began at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in front of the Lane County Courthouse at E 8th Avenue and Oak Street. After speeches by local community members, the large group marched in the street three blocks east to the United States Courthouse, stopping traffic along the way. 

There, they stood on the steps in front of the courthouse and chanted loudly against ICE activity in Oregon.  

According to reports from local attorneys and advocates, immigrants are being detained at the ICE office in Eugene and being denied access to counsel. 

Protest organizers handed flyers to the crowd with information on the Lane County Immigrant Defense Network, urging ralliers to look out for their neighbors. 

  • People gather during an anti-ICE protest at the Eugene Federal Building on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Hundreds gather outside of the Eugene Federal Building to listen to speakers during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Community members gather outside the Eugene Federal Building after marching from the Lane County Courthouse during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Hundreds gather outside the Eugene Federal Building on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Traffic comes to a standstill near the Eugene Federal Building as protesters march during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Hundreds of protestors block traffic as they march to the Eugene Federal Building during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Protestors march from the Lane County Courthouse to the Eugene Federal Building while chanting during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Protestors carry signs and chant as they march from the Lane County Courthouse to the Eugene Federal Building during an anti-ICe protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Protestors march from the Lane County Courthouse to the Eugene Federal Building during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Protesters gather outside the Lane County Courthouse on June 11, 2025 in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Demonstrators gather with flags and signs protesting ICE on June 11, 2025. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • People gather on corners near the Lane County Courthouse on June 11, 2025 during an anti-ICE protest. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Hundreds gather outside the Lane County Courthouse to protest ICE on June 11, 2025, in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • A speaker who goes by Rob rallies a crowd outside of the Lane County Courthouse during an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025, in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Community members gather outside the Lane County Courthouse on June 11, 2025, in Eugene, to protest ICE. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • An upside down U.S. flag is displayed by a protester at an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025, in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Hundreds of community members gather outside the Lane County Courthouse for an anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025, in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Protesters wave at drivers passing by the Lane County Courthouse during annti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025, in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Jazmin Flores speaks to hundreds of protesters outside the Lane County Courthouse during an Anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025 in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
  • Chris Chase speaks to a crowd outside the Lane County Courthouse during an Anti-ICE protest on June 11, 2025 in Eugene. Credit: Emilee Jackson / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Valerie Morales lives in Junction City and attended the rally with her mom and kids. She said she knows people who are in fear of being detained by ICE. 

“This is a sanctuary state and city, so I think people have felt safe until recently,” Morales said. “So is Los Angeles, and then we see what’s happening over there. So people are a lot more scared and terrified to speak out about things. We have that privilege so we’re here for them.”

Chris Case, who is the Service Employees International Union’s assistant director for higher education in Oregon, spoke to the group gathered at the plaza. He said he wants to make it known that Eugene stands in solidarity with protestors in Los Angeles.

“If the Trump regime is willing to create such a public spectacle of one of the largest sanctuary cities in the country, then nowhere is safe,” Case said to the crowd. “It is important in these times to remember that every act, no matter how small, makes a difference.”

Jazmin Flores introduced herself as a first-generation Mexican-American who recently moved to Oregon from Los Angeles. 

“It saddens me to see my home being invaded and attacked, seeing my neighbors being abducted and in prison,” Flores said. 

She described the community she grew up in and the unity felt among working people throughout Los Angeles County.

People in Los Angeles have been protesting for six days against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Officers have reportedly fired rubber bullets into crowds and the National Guard has been deployed along with 700 U.S. Marines.

“What is happening in California is setting the stage for what could happen to the rest of our country,” Flores said. “Don’t let that happen without a fight.”