NEWS

Springfield investigating use of force, reviewing footage of Thurston protest

Adam Duvernay
aduvernay@registerguard.com
Black Unity protesters stand together at a barricade erected at 67th and Dogwood streets by police during a July 29, 2020 protest in Thurston.

The city of Springfield is asking an outside police use-of-force expert to look at video footage from a July 29 Black Unity protest in the Thurston neighborhood, according to a statement from Mayor Christine Lundberg issued several days after the event.

The protest in Thurston, which brought several hundred people to the east Springfield neighborhood over the fears one Black resident had about a Halloween skeleton hung with a noose alongside other decorations in a nearby yard, was largely a peaceful march, but was marred by clashes with local police and with counterprotesters.

The marchers first ran into police at South 68th Street and Glacier Drive around 8:30 p.m. Springfield police had set up a barrier there ostensibly to keep protesters from reaching Main Street, which a police spokesman said would have been dangerous.

After crowding the barrier for half an hour, during which time protesters jeered the officers lined up on the other side, the two groups eventually skirmished. Police spokesman Sgt. David Grice said some protesters crossed the barrier line after admonishments not to do so, leading to violent arrests and shoving matches.

Police arrested five protesters, including Black Unity leader Tyshawn Ford. Charges included interfering with police, disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest. One counterprotester was arrested on a charge of fourth-degree assault, after allegedly getting into a verbal dispute and physical altercation with a member of the march, who was taken to the hospital for their injuries.

On Friday, when asked for an update about the suspects, a representative at the Springfield City Prosecutor’s Office said there was “no update at this time,” and they could not say anything more, including if it was still being investigated.

Several officers also were injured, Grice said.

The clash was recorded by media, protesters and from the police side of the line.

“We are taking careful review of video footage of the events that occurred — which will include an investigation and a review by a use-of-force expert from outside of our department,” said Lundberg’s statement on the protest investigation.

City Manager Nancy Newton has authorized bringing in the outside expert to review findings, Amber Fossen, city spokesperson, said in an email Monday afternoon.

“We are in the process of selecting an independent expert to carry out this review,” Fossen said. “This review will include an examination of video footage available from that night including videos from media reports, participants, witnesses, and the Springfield Police Department.”

The city is anticipating the the investigation and review to take a couple of months to complete, Fossen said.

The day after the Thurston Black Unity protest, a group of protesters, without Black Unity leaders, marched to her house to demand answers and she spoke momentarily with the group.

Lundberg issued her formal statement on social media Friday.

Lundberg said the Thurston protest sparked “fear, concern, outrage and compassion.” She said she is listening to the concerns of ”protest participants, neighboring families and community members throughout Springfield.“

“I support and respect the Black Lives Matter movement. I support and respect the officers at the Springfield Police Department. These are not mutually exclusive,” Lundberg’s statement said.

“As a leader in this community, it is important that I have clarity before responding to detailed concerns — especially accusations of brutality or criminal conduct by our officers,” Lundberg said in the statement. “I will not, however, provide a calming soundbite as this matter deserves our thoughtful attention.”

Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com or 541-338-2237, and follow him on Twitter @DuvernayOR.

Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg’s full statement on the July 29 Thurston protest:

A Letter to the Community,

I want to thank you all for taking time to reach out and share your thoughts. What is happening in our community and communities throughout the nation is important to creating a new social compact of how we want, and should, treat one another.

We support the right to peacefully assemble. As people exercise their first amendment rights, our focus is on their safety and the safety of others. There have been several peaceful protests in Springfield in as many weeks.

However, the events from July 29, 2020, in Thurston have prompted considerable response from our community and beyond. I have heard fear, concern, outrage, and compassion. To your concerns, I am listening. I am also listening to many others including protest participants, neighboring families and community members throughout Springfield. We are taking careful review of video footage of the events that occurred – which will include an investigation and a review by a use of force expert from outside of our department. I support and respect the Black Lives Matter movement. I support and respect the officers at the Springfield Police Department. These are not mutually exclusive. I recognize and value each. I also recognize and respect the very important movement happening across our nation for justice and equality. Springfield will be a partner in that work. Through the formation of a Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel, we will engage a diverse group of community members in an effort to bring us together, with better understanding and shared agreements, on a set of actions and outcomes that ensures Springfield is a welcoming community to all. I look forward to sharing more details about this effort as it takes shape. Tangible action is what Springfield does best and we will deliver.

As a leader in this community, it is important that I have clarity before responding to detailed concerns – especially accusations of brutality or criminal conduct by our officers. Please know that we are taking in all the feedback, questions, and concerns and are doing our due diligence to evaluate them. I will not, however, provide a calming soundbite as this matter deserves our thoughtful attention.

Thank you for reaching out to me. I am listening and I will continue to listen as we work toward actions that bring about greater equality, respect and appreciation of one another.