With tensions growing around the Israeli-Hamas war, police arrested a man who fired a “splatter ball gun” into a crowd marching in support of Palestinians in Eugene, Oregon, on Oct. 21.
Protesters drew weapons in response and the Eugene Police Department (EPD) stepped in to disarm and de-escalate the tense situation.
According to EPD, approximately 200 protesters gathered near the Federal Courthouse on Oct. 21 for a “Free Palestine Rally.”
Participants carried signs with messages that called for a “ceasefire now” and urged President Joe Biden to stop “funding genocide.”
At about 3:15 p.m., the group began to march.
The incident began when the driver of a pickup stopped at an intersection, reportedly blocking the protesters. The driver, later identified as 51-year-old Jonathan James Wisbey, engaged the crowd and a verbal altercation ensued.
As police closed in on the intersection, protesters surrounded Mr. Wisbey’s pickup and slashed one of his tires.
Mr. Wisbey then exited his vehicle and shot a splatter ball into the crowd.
Similar to a paintball gun, a splatter ball gun is a toy that uses compressed air to fire water-filled gel beads.
Several protesters who were carrying handguns then drew their weapons.
Police were concerned about other armed people they had seen in the crowd, including a person with an AK-47.
EPD reported officers quickly “challenged and detained” all armed subjects and were able to “deescalate the situation and detain the individuals without further issue.”
Mr. Wisbey was arrested and lodged at Lane County Jail on charges of menacing, disorderly conduct in the second degree, and bias crime in the first degree.
No other arrests or charges were reported.
Both the University of Oregon Muslim Student Alliance and Students for Justice in Palestine immediately issued a joint statement on Instagram that they had no role in organizing the rally.
The following day in Portland, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the offices of Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Sen. Ron Wyden, both Democrats, urging them to stand with Palestine and support calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We have a legacy in our homeland that goes back over 8000 years. We are the descendants of Jews, Christians, and Muslims that have lived, farmed, and fished on that land since the beginning of human history,” one speaker told the crowd. “And we will not be silenced or ignored.”
Sponsored by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), the group said it wants the bloodshed to stop.
PSL describes its primary goal as the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism and the institution of socialism. Its slogan is “For the planet to live, capitalism must end.”
Protesters chanted: “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea!”
The Anti-Defamation League states that the phrase has “long been used by the anti-Israel terrorist organizations such as Hamas and others who seek Israel’s destruction through violent means.”
Protesters held signs urging the United States to stop funding Israel. Some signs equated Israel with genocide and ethnic cleansing. Still others stated: “When people are occupied, resistance is justified.”
Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation have previously condemned the Oct. 7 attacks while some expressed trepidation about Israel’s response.
“As a staunch defender of the First Amendment, Sen. Wyden respects everybody’s right to peaceful protest,” Mr. Wyden’s office told the media when asked if he supported a ceasefire.
“As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he is working with the Biden administration to support Israel’s defense against Hamas terrorists and to support policies that encourage the protection of civilians.”
Mr. Blumenauer released a statement on Oct. 7.
“I am horrified by the terrorist attacks in Israel, our strongest ally in the region. I firmly stand with the thousands of Israelis in harm’s way.
“Civilian casualties and kidnappings brought on by extreme elements of Hamas are an unacceptable escalation of tensions. It is more important than ever that Israel is united for peace and security.”
He later added that “civilians in Gaza cannot pay the price for Hamas’ crimes. Schools, hospitals, and humanitarian corridors must be safeguarded. We need to respect the dignity, security, and freedom of Palestinians and Israelis.”
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on the Israel-Hamas war on Oct.19.
“The Hamas assault on Israeli towns was a horrific terrorist attack, killing and taking hostage innocent Israeli civilians. Israel has every right to pursue a targeted campaign to eliminate Hamas and prevent future attacks,” he said in a press release.
“At the same time, we all carry the responsibility to protect innocent civilians in times of war.
“As a democracy, Israel must adhere to the strictest possible standard for civilian protection under international law, even when fighting a depraved adversary like Hamas, which intentionally puts civilians in harm’s way.”
The group Oregon Stands With Israel said it had planned a rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square for Oct. 22 but canceled it “due to threats/safety concerns.”
The nature of the threats was not revealed.
