A homeless man sleeps in the Park Blocks area of downtown Eugene, September 2023.
Brian Bull / KLCC
The city of Eugene is the focus of a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of its park rules, on behalf of the local homeless population.
Both plaintiffs in the case — Sam Yergler and Nicholas Hollows — have been previously arrested and banned from city property. They say under existing rules, officials can confront, fine, jail and exclude those who simply want a place to temporarily rest, or those who speak out against unfair practices.
Last year at the opening of the new riverfront park, Yergler interrupted a speech by city officials to complain about the development’s expense and sweeps of homeless encampments by police. The city of Eugene dropped its charges against him in January.
Hollows was present at a sweep of a homeless camp at Washington Jefferson Park in November 2021, and questioned authorities as to where a displaced camper should go. After being initially arrested for interfering with police, the city dropped a criminal charge and an exclusion order against Hollows in the following months.
Marianne Dugan is the senior civil attorney Director for the Civil Liberties Defense Center, which is representing Yergler and Hollows in the Oregon U.S. District Court.
“They’re not seeking money damages, they’re not seeing any punishment or any compensation for themselves,” she told KLCC. “They’re seeking a declaration that these rules are unconstitutional and an injunction to stop future enforcement of the rules.”
Dugan says a couple of rules in particular are vague, and can be used against the estimated 4,563 homeless people in Lane County.
A spokesperson for the city of Eugene said the lawsuit is under review and that the city would have no comment at this time.