On Friday, January 30, 2026, Eugene joined a wave of nationwide protests as part of a “general strike” targeting federal immigration enforcement—and the day ended with an explosive escalation at the downtown federal building.

In a scene that began as peaceful dissent, hundreds gathered outside the federal building in downtown Eugene, carrying signs and chanting against agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Among the early attendees was Vivian Kelly, a disabled nurse quietly doing beadwork while holding a sign. “This is not a protest against Democrats or Republicans,” she said. “This is a protest against right and wrong.” These actions were part of a broader national effort calling for an economic and civic shutdown in protest of federal immigration agents’ methods. [OPB reporting, Jan. 30, Wikipedia background]

By late afternoon, tensions had mounted. Protesters began banging on the doors and windows of the federal building and spray‑painting graffiti on its walls. At least one window was reported broken. Around 6:00 p.m., Eugene Police Department (EPD) officially labeled the situation an “active riot,” deploying vehicles to block the streets and issuing dispersal orders via loudspeaker. Police warned, “You are engaged in an active riot. You are ordered to disperse the area immediately. Failure to disperse will result in the use of tear gas and/or impact munitions.” [OPB reporting, Jan. 30, City of Eugene press release]

EPD Chief Chris Skinner framed the declaration as an effort to protect both protesters and building occupants. Police claimed some demonstrators had breached entry points and accessed the interior, putting civilian and federal staff at risk. Chief Skinner emphasized the need to prevent a potentially deadly confrontation between protesters and federal agents inside the building. [OPB reporting, Jan. 30, City of Eugene press release]

From Portland, federal officers were brought in to assist. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., federal agents deployed tear gas to push back protesters. Eugene police did not use such munitions themselves, according to Skinner. [OPB reporting, Jan. 30]

Meanwhile, Springfield hosted a related rally at City Hall earlier that afternoon. Hundreds gathered, heard personal stories, and were encouraged to shop locally and speak out. More than 60 businesses reportedly closed in solidarity. A “car caravan” of protesters later drove through both cities and ended at the Lane Events Center in Eugene. [OPB reporting, Jan. 30]

That event saw tense moments when armed counter-protesters appeared, one holding an “I ♥︎ ICE” sign. Though confrontational at first, the encounter was defused through calm dialogue between one counter-protester and an anti‑ICE attendee. [OPB reporting, Jan. 30]

Why this matters

This confrontation marks a significant rupture in Eugene’s history of protest. While the city has seen activism before, it rarely culminates in declarations of riots at federal facilities. The incident underscores the growing national friction over immigration enforcement—and raises urgent questions about the balance between civil dissent and public safety.

The involvement of federal agents parallels actions in cities like Portland, where legal limits on force—including a judge’s temporary ban on tear gas—are now being tested. In Cowlitz County, awareness and engagement with these broader struggles are essential—not just for solidarity, but to ensure local policies, law enforcement, and community leaders remain aligned with both constitutional rights and public safety.

Sources

OPB: “Protest in Eugene declared a ‘riot’ by police after daylong ‘general strike’ events”
City of Eugene news release: “Riot declared at Federal Building”
Wikipedia: “January 30, 2026 protests against ICE”