Old fashioned, homespun, down to earth hate and bigotry -- it's the Rogue River and Trump's American Way!

By Brad Smith

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. --  Steven Essig, who has participated in a number of protests from Cave Junction to Portland, was in Medford the other night when peaceful protesters ran into hostile right wing extremists, including neo-Nazis Keith "Biome Michael" Erickson and Gregg Marchese. This is what "peace-loving patriots" screamed at the protesters:

"Silence is consent”

"No Kosher USA"

“What are you going to do when I fucking rape you?”

“White lives matter”

“Go back home f*g”

"Go back to Africa"

“USA USA USA USA”

“Fucking commies”

“Save the Children”

“You’re gonna get raped”

“What are you gonna do when your children are fucking raped?”

Welcome to the world of those who stand up for social justice and against racism and hatred.

 A few weeks ago, Dominique Toyer thought it would be a good idea to have an event at Rogue River, Ore., called "You Are Enough." There would be a march to the community's largest park, Palmerton Park; there would be a barbecue and biracial young people would talk about their experiences -- there would be entertainment too.

However, while a number of the locals have stated on social media they're attending the peaceful, family event, others haven't been so . . . welcoming.

As evident in the following screenshots:

What's very disturbing is Ms. Tolman's photo comment. She identifies herself as a healthcare worker. The Rogue Free Press would like to find her employer and inquire if her views represent their policies. For an alleged healthcare worker to post something like this -- even jokingly -- is troublesome.

Steve Eyles' posts are . . . well, judge for yourself. In past interactions with Eyles, he's launched into incoherent rants about "You Are Enough" as being a prelude to "burning, looting and murder" -- despite the fact that most of the nationwide violence has come from right-wing extremists. Merusi isn't much better. Taylor himself has a lengthy criminal past --  common for some Rogue River residents.

"I'm making potato salad and marinade for the meat. This is a family friendly event, it's not some armed invasion. This is very frustrating," Toyer said during a Facebook video post. "What the hell is wrong with some people? This is something for everyone and it's peaceful. That's all it is."

Medford. Coos Bay. Cave Junction. Medford again. Peaceful protesters have been met with hostility from right-wing extremists, so-called "patriots."

"Patriots who stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, with violent neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers such as Keith "Biome Michael" Erickson and Greg Marchese. It would seem that Southern Oregon's "patriots" are fine with neo-Nazis among their ranks.

That's Trump's America. He said the right wing extremists in Charlottesville were very fine people -- even when one of them killed an innocent woman. Trump urged right wing extremists to "take back their states" after a number of governors initiated lockdown protocols when he failed to take action during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also used racist slurs regarding the virus -- something that local business owner Joe McPherson and other residents have done on social media.

And, they think it's funny.

Ms. Toyer, SOEquity and others are to be commended for bringing something like "You Are Enough" to Rogue River. Now, Rogue River has the chance to hear from their BIPOC residents and others -- hopefully, the dialogue and possible understanding Toyer has talked about will happen this Saturday.

Rogue River has the chance to do the right thing. Hopefully, its violent racist citizens won't do anything.

It's a lot to hope for. But, in the end, hope can achieve good things.

You Are Enough Rally Set For Rogue River Aug. 29

 Organizers hope to open a dialogue, understanding

By Brad Smith

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. -- A special rally is planned for Aug. 29, including a march, a BBQ and some entertainment -- an event aimed at raising awareness of racial dynamics in Rogue River.

“We call it 'You Are Enough,’” said event organizer Dominique Toyer. “It’s a peaceful, family friendly  event with the goals of opening a dialogue with the community and promoting an understanding. There are people in Rogue River who feel there's a problem with racism. They see it, they've experienced it. They want to talk about it, again, with the hopes of making the community aware of the problem.”

Toyer is part of the Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity, located here in southern Oregon. She was active in the BLM rallies held in June and has participated in events held elsewhere in Oregon, most recently in Coos Bay. She appeared at a Rogue River city council workshop a few weeks ago and talked about racism in the community.

“I know it made some of the councilors uncomfortable. It’s not an easy thing to discuss nor to acknowledge,” she said. “But, if you ignore the problem -- it’s not going away. It’ll fester and get worse. No one wants to think that something bad happens in their town. But, unfortunately, it does happen and you need to face it, talk about it.”

Mayor Wayne Stuart and city administrator Mark Reagles both felt Toyer was “very brave” for coming to the meeting and discussing the issue. However, neither agreed that there was a problem.

“We’re a very diverse community, we don’t have a problem with racism here,” Stuart said, “I don't think it’s an issue.”

Rogue River isn’t that diverse -- not with nearly 94 percent of residents white and the rest made up of various other races. And, when looking at local social media posts, many residents feel that anyone associated with the BLM movement is a “Marxist” or “terrorist.” A number of current and former residents contacted the The Rogue Free Press and shared their experiences with racism in Rogue River. The local VFW and some businesses were noted as some of the biggest offenders.

In short, there’s a problem.

“The best way to address something like this is by opening a dialogue,” Toyer said. “That’s our goal. Dialogue. Awareness. Share an understanding. All of that leads to a better community.”

Toyer said at 10 a.m. Aug. 29, there would be a march through town followed by a barbeque at Palmerton Park. People will speak about their experiences being biracial and some entertainment is planned.”

“I hope people will come out and join us,” she said. “It’s going to be a good time.”

Toyer said brochures about the event will be distributed throughout Rogue River sometime this week or so. In the meantime, other events are planned throughout the Rogue Valley and beyond.

“I want a better world for my son,” she said. “I want a better world for all children. That’s why we do this.”

Saturday, Aug. 29, will be a defining moment for Rogue River. It will be interesting to see how some residents will react.

Toyer is a member of the Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity. It's been corrected and The Rogue Free Press apologizes for the mistake.