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Oregon’s farmworkers union inspired the events to build awareness and solidarity around immigrants. They are the first of a planned series of monthly actions that call on community members not to work, go to school or shop.
Community demonstrations are scheduled in Eugene and Springfield on Thursday, Dec. 18, for Day Without an Immigrant.
Thursday, which is International Migrants Day, marks the first in a series of monthly events leading up to International Workers Day on May 1, according to Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, Oregon’s farmworkers union, which initiated the events.
Local organizers are holding what they’re calling a “visibility action” from noon to 2 p.m. on the Ferry Street Bridge in Eugene, according to the Eugene Party for Socialism & Liberation. A rally and candlelight vigil will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Springfield City Hall steps.
Other events are happening in cities across Oregon.
According to the union, the goal is to “get ICE out of our barrios by building solidarity amongst allies and immigrant workers.”
More actions are expected to follow on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as well as Feb. 16, March 16, April 1 and May 1. On each of those days, organizers are asking community members to not work, go to school or shop to demonstrate collective economic power.
Eugene fabric shop to close for the day
Alathea Lutris, owner of Dreamery Fabric on Eighth Avenue, said she decided to close her Eugene business for the day.
“I have friends and neighbors and people who come into the shop who are immigrants, and I just wanted to be supportive of them,” Lutris said Wednesday.
The fabric shop opened in October, offering items like thread and zippers to customers interested in making clothing. The business also hosts events, like a recent pajama-pant-making workshop.
A sign on the door of the business Wednesday alerted customers to the closure, as did a social media post.
“Customers I have that aren’t immigrants or aren’t connected to the issue, I’m happy for them to know where I stand,” Lutris said.
Asked if she was concerned about a day of no sales, Lutris spoke of her personal convictions.
“I think it’s more important for me to live authentically and in a way that’s aligned with my values,” Lutris said. She added: “I would feel worse about myself if I was making monetary decisions that overrode my ethical and personal value decisions.”
Dress for the rain
Organizers of the local events encouraged attendees to come dressed for the rain. They also suggested bringing a sign to the Eugene event, showing support for immigrant families, and bringing an LED candle to the Springfield vigil, according to a press release from Rob Fisette, an organizer with the Lane County Immigrant Defense Network.
After the event on the Ferry Street Bridge, the Lane County Immigrant Defense Network will have a community organizing meeting at the Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., from 2 to 4 p.m., Fisette told Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
The group will also show an exhibit called Our Stories: Immigrants of America by Eugene photographer and digital artist Melissa Nolledo.
The Springfield rally and vigil will uplift immigrant voices, honor families impacted by detention and disappearance and call on local leaders to take steps to protect residents and restore trust, according to a press release about the event.
The event will include speakers from the Springfield community, a moment of acknowledgement for harm and an LED candle vigil honoring those who have been taken and not found, the press release stated.
Organizers will share community concerns and outline what residents want from public institutions, including the city of Springfield.
Correspondent Jaime Adame contributed to this article.