Despite the gloomy rain, we Oregonians grabbed our jackets and umbrellas today and gathered in several locations around the state to show our support for Malheur Wildlife Refuge, public lands, and the public employees who take care of those places. Four of my birding friends and I traveled 30 miles up I-5 to Eugene, where the Rally was respectful, passionate, peaceful, emphatic, and creative. Many of the supporters arrived with homemade signs that told the story of our collective frustration and our continuing commitment to OUR public places.
Several of the signs focused on the self-named “militia.” They generally gave the impression that Oregonians don’t appreciate having parts of their state held hostage. Even though we typically are very friendly here in Oregon, these signs indicated we might be a bit unwelcoming towards people attempting to hijack our refuges and parks.
Yep. That’s the word “terrorist” on that sign ^^ up there. ^^ We call ‘em like we see ‘em here in Oregon. Some of the supporters even named names...
One woman’s sign absolutely nailed the vile undercurrent of racism that festers in the heart of all these right wing “movements.”
On its front side, her sign asks, “What do the Bundys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, Patriot and Militia Movements, Sovereign Citizens, Posse Comitatus, Jim Crow, KKK, and Slavery have in common?”
On the back: “Answer: 400 years of White Supremacist U.S. History”
Most of the signs sported positive messages supporting the Refuge and public lands however, rather than negatively opposing the out-of-state crazies.
The Eugene Rally was held in front of the old Federal Building, right downtown. I haven’t heard how the other rallies did, but ours was very well attended. The square was FULL of supporters. By FoxNews standards there were probably 20,000 people in the throng ;^) but in the real world, more like 200, I would guess. And this was on a cold, rainy day!
Our Rally also had a couple of Guest Speakers. Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorensen spoke, as did Eugene mayor Kitty Piercy. Both urged us to contact and pressure our representatives to not cave to the Bundys and to do something.
Probably the biggest thrill for this crowd came when Eugene local boy Noah Strycker took the microphone. He is like a rock star in the birding world. Last year he traveled the globe and set a new Big Year record: 6042 different species of birds sighted in one year! His success was possible because he could access public lands in many cases.
And what’s a Rally without music? We have an anthem. It’s been around a long, long time now. Our Support Malheur Wildlife and Public Lands Rally finished up with everyone singing “This Land is Your Land.”
Of course!