The Whiteaker Community Market in Eugene held a solidarity pop-up event Saturday aimed at preparing residents for potential protests related to immigration enforcement.
Hosted at the Hybrid Gallery and Equiano Coffee, the event featured free poster-making, whistle kits and educational materials about individual rights. Organizers said the goal was to provide a safe space for community members to gather, share information and support one another.
“We get to see our community. And we get to make with them, we get to create with them, we get to talk with them,” said Katrina Allen, a market organizer. “We’ve got our red cards here, which just state your rights — that you don’t have to talk to cops or ICE.”
While local vendors and artists sold artwork, crafts and food items, admission to the event and participation in activities were free. Organizers said maintaining free, accessible community spaces is especially important during times of uncertainty.
Donations collected at the event will benefit the Pacific Refugee Support Group, a nonprofit that assists displaced individuals.
In addition to supporting local artists and businesses, organizers said the pop-up was intended to reinforce Eugene’s sanctuary city status by distributing protest information and encouraging civic engagement.
The Whiteaker Community Market plans to continue hosting pop-up events until its regular Sunday market resumes in May.
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