Public comment: Celebrate May Day in Eugene

Presenter: Get ready for May Day events. The group 50501 Eugene—which joined many others in organizing April 5—will gather for another protest May 1 from noon to 3 p.m. in front of Lane County Circuit Court, 125 E. 8th Ave. With a tribute to May Day and to some of Eugene’s favorite union workers, public comment Monday at the City Council:

Jacob Trewe: Hello there. My name is Jacob Trewe. I have a few different things I’ll be talking about today.

[00:00:27] We are a few days here before May Day, a holiday celebrating workers around the world. On May 4, 1886, there was a rally in Haymarket Square in Chicago, a few days after some bigger May 1 rallies, in favor of the eight-hour workday. After an explosion there, the police opened fire on the rally, killing four civilians, seven police officers, wounding 70 others. Forensic analysis indicates that all those killed were killed by police bullets. All right.

[00:00:52] The Haymarket Massacre is not only an example of police violence, but it also is a key moment in labor history. I came here today from the picket line where the largest strike at the University of Oregon (at least since 2014, and by numbers probably the largest yet), started today and is ongoing. U of O student workers are the ones on strike and they’re the youngest union here at the University of Oregon.

[00:01:16] All the labor actions and historical context. So why do I bring this all up other than, you know, history is fun? Well, I want to highlight what a shame it is that the union workers of CAHOOTS are no longer on our streets. I commend the four city councilors that have met with the CAHOOTS workers, and the four that have yet had an opportunity to do so, I strongly suggest you do so.

[00:01:37] I hope you take the opportunity to review the studies and documents relating to the efficacy and compassion of the CAHOOTS workers and just how much that CAHOOTS is loved in this town. The fact that they are no longer on our streets is not only tying up resources by the other emergency services that we have, but also takes one of the most shining things about Eugene, that other towns and representatives around the nation are trying to copy.

[00:02:02] The fact that Eugene itself is no longer supporting CAHOOTS is, I mean, it’s a tragedy. It really is. I don’t have all the info, but by my estimate, looking at public data, it suggests that you could get CAHOOTS back in their van for well under $10 million.

[00:02:16] The CSI, the Community Safety Initiative, was nearly $70 million. I think we need CAHOOTS back helping out on the streets. And considering how much value CAHOOTS brings to the community, I think that would be a bargain. Please consider that as you go through the budget process.

[00:02:32] Presenter: Alex Chamberlin:

[00:02:33] Alex Chamberlin: I looked through the budget before this and searched for CAHOOTS… I want the money from the community safety payroll tax. We’re expecting $67 million. I want some of that allocated, maybe $8 million allocated to CAHOOTS. I understand the choices are tough, but that’s kind of the job.

[00:02:56] And I want to remind people that in Section D of the ordinance, it specifically mentions CAHOOTS as something the ordinance is going to increase funding for. So it’s disappointing that it hasn’t.

[00:03:12] Presenter: That’s public comment at the City Council April 28 honoring local workers. May Day events are scheduled all week, culminating in the Eugene May Day celebration Sunday, May 4, noon to 5 p.m., at the Park Blocks.

For more about events this week, see EugeneMayDay.org.

And before you march, the ACLU will offer a May Day Know Your Rights training on April 29. For more, see 50501 Eugene on Reddit, Facebook, or Bluesky Social.

For the latest news and live reports, listen to KEPW 97.3, Resistance Radio for Eugene and the Upper Willamette.