From the Portland Oregonian: Anarchists' rally erupts into riot in Eugene Police arrest at least 15 and resort to tear gas after protesters march through streets, throwing rocks and smashing windows Saturday, June 19, 1999 By Debra Gwartney of The Oregonian staff EUGENE -- A Eugene police officer and a citizen were hospitalized Friday after what was organized as a peaceful street demonstration escalated into violence and mayhem on the streets of Eugene. The riot resulted in the arrest of 15 self-described anarchists by Friday evening, five hours into the downtown protest. More than 100 people suffered minor eye and throat pain after Eugene police officers in riot gear threw tear gas into the crowd at a downtown park.
The street party, planned in opposition to global capitalism, attracted more than 300 people to downtown Eugene at 2:30 p.m. Many were masked, and about 20 women were topless as they made their way to a central location in the downtown mall. Protesters burned an American flag and smashed various electronic equipment before starting to walk through the streets, waving signs encouraging the destruction of industrialized society.
Police hovered nearby as protesters smashed windows of a furniture store, threw rocks through windows of a downtown bank and hotel, and stopped traffic at several intersections. "The police showed amazing restraint," said City Councilor David Kelley, who walked on the periphery of the protest. "I think they've handled it just right, to keep the situation from escalating."
About an hour into the protest, more than a dozen police cars and a force of officers in riot gear began following the crowd, which had diminished to about 150 people. Police repeatedly announced that rioters would be arrested or tear-gassed if they did not immediately disperse. After protesters stopped rush-hour traffic at a busy intersection, pounding on cars and verbally harassing drivers, police rushed in to make two arrests.
About a half-hour later, police again lined up at the Washington-Jefferson Park where protesters had gathered, warned the crowd to break up, and then lobbed at least 30 canisters of tear gas at protesters.
Eight-year-old Megan Wilson cried out when the cloud of tear gas hit her face. "We made an effort to stay on the sidewalk like the police told us to and we came to a public park for a peaceful protest and my child still got tear-gassed," said Delyla Wilson, the child's mother.
Police said protesters had agreed in meetings before the demonstration to stay within a specific area of downtown, but they broke that agreement. Police arrested one man at the park, who was videotaping the action. After the rioters again went to the street and held up traffic, one driver stepped out of his vehicle, swinging a hammer. One protester was struck in the head and was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center by ambulance. Police later made at least 12 additional arrests as the protest continued, according to Brian Terrett, a spokesman for the Eugene Police Department.
Terrett said the police officer injured in the shoulder by a rock was being treated Friday night at Sacred Heart Medical Center. A second officer, hit in the head with a glass bottle, was treated in the field, he said. No names of those arrested or injured were released by police.
The street protest followed a two-day anarchist conference held at the University of Oregon, which included at least one panel on the use of property damage during protest actions. Organizers of the event said the activists had come together to encourage the dissolution of the country's economic system, particularly corporate America, and a return to a more primitive existence. **** Eugene police arrest five more on accusations related to riot Demonstration organizers meet with city officials Saturday to discuss how the protest plans went wrong
Sunday, June 20, 1999
By Debra Gwartney, Correspondent, The Oregonian
EUGENE -- Eugene police reported five more arrests Saturday in relation to Friday's five-hour downtown riot during which anarchists and other activists threw rocks into business windows, blocked traffic and harassed motorists. Confrontations with police in riot gear, including a standoff in a public park that resulted in the police deployment of tear gas, came to an end about 7:30 p.m. when the crowd finally dispersed.
Eleven men and nine women were arrested during the course of the demonstration and taken to the Lane County Jail, where they remained Saturday, authorities said. At least four activists had met with police Wednesday to reach an agreement about the parameters of the protest, meant to be part of an international demonstration against global capitalism. On Saturday, the four activists met downtown to try to unravel what went wrong.
"Police were assured that there wasn't going to be trouble," said Carol Berg, who attended Wednesday's meeting. "And they thought it was best to let it happen." Late Friday, Police Chief Jim Hill said he consented to allow the original protest after police and organizers worked out a specific agreement, including that the group would temporarily occupy part of a downtown street and would avoid major arterials. "They told us the intent of the demonstration was peaceful, and that children would be involved," Hill said.
Berg said that apparently protesters became impatient with occupying the small section of street, and spontaneously decided to get the demonstration moving. Weaving through the city, activists shouted and drummed on metal garbage cans, quickly pushing past agreed-upon boundaries. Several major streets were blocked as the procession snaked through downtown. Rush-hour traffic was delayed. A few protesters banged on cars, hit some with chains and rocks, and shouted at motorists who complained about the holdup.
One faction of the self-described anarchists allegedly entered two bank buildings and broke windows at a bank, a hotel, a fast-food restaurant and a furniture store. At one point, a protester entered a downtown convenience store and came out seconds later carrying two cases of beer, while other demonstrators shouted disdain at the apparent looting.
Authorities said three police officers, who will not be identified until Monday, were injured during the afternoon riot, including one who was treated at a hospital for a shoulder injury. Several protesters also sustained minor injuries. One required treatment at a hospital. City Manager Jim Johnson said he admired the police for showing a level of restraint and for ensuring that no chemical agents were deployed in a place where innocent bystanders could be affected. But activist Cindy Noblitt said that while police "honored their agreement" to allow the demonstration early on, they escalated the situation by using tear gas. "It just gave the combative activists the fight they wanted," she said.
You can reach Debra Gwartney at 541-342-7797 or by e-mail at gwartney@rio.com.