EUGENE, Ore., Jan. 28 — As press, I’ve never ran away from the opposition (in this case, the feds) like I did last night.
In every single altercation I’ve had with cops or bad actors prior, I’ve ran toward them—even just earlier that night when DHS agents detained their sixth-or-so protestor of the day.
Before shit broke loose, I spoke with Anna Lardner, yesterday’s first detainee, a trans woman and one of the plaintiffs named in a federal civil suit against DHS.
Lardner told me how DHS agents inside (after roughing her up enough to leave red marks) initially refused Lardner’s request for a female agent to search her.
“Today was scary. I was worried they were seriously going to hurt me,” Lardner said. “I will still be back tomorrow.”
Then they flashbanged us. Earlier in the day, agents had shot pepperballs and used gas against protestors; again, after the vigil, agents attacked us, forcing everyone away from the main building and onto the sidewalks.
When I saw the feds open the door and throw the little flash canister out, my heart stopped. I was right there. I ran.
They were shooting pepperballs at my fellow press, and by sheer luck I didn’t get caught in the crossfire. We think the feds might’ve been shooting gas canisters that break up into smaller pieces to spread out the chemicals—hence the appearance of “shooting fire.” Several times, I had to furiously wipe at my stinging eyes.
Last night, I felt a primal sort of fear I’ve never felt before. You can’t think when the feds are coming at you with guns. You just run.
Jan. 27 marked an insane escalation in state violence against Eugene. DHS detained eight or more protestors just that day—grabbing “leaders,” or types that stood out, trying to get people on misdemeanors and made-up charges.
But like Lardner said: We will be back. There is a revolutionary spirit in Eugene, in Portland, in Oregon, in the U.S. and across the world—and no matter how hard the cops, feds or heads of nations try, it cannot be dampened by their violence.
A better world is possible, and last night—in the faces of the people standing up to the state—I saw it.
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