PUBLIC STATEMENTS
12/27/21
Statement from SOEquity Founder & Director
It is with bittersweet gratitude that I announce that the Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity (SOEquity), as we know it, is no longer. In June of 2020, I saw the incredible energy and increased activism in my home region and wanted to join in uplifting the Movement.
09/30/21
Mass Sweeps at Hawthorne
In the twilight hours of Thursday, September 30, 2021, the Medford Police Department Livability Team, in partnership with the Jackson County Sheriff Department and Rogue Retreat’s Clean Sweeps program, removed an estimated dozen individuals suffering from either chronic homelessness and/or displacement from the 2020 wildfires...
03/18/21
Shootings in Georgia
It is with heavy hearts and solemn spriits that we again must address a violent and deadly act of white supremacy in
America. On March 16th 2021, a white man opened fire at three spa locations...
11/26/20
Death of Aidan Ellison
It is with sorrow and solemn duty that we must again make a statement addressing the unjust, violent and deadly treatment of Black lives in this country and in our community. The following statement details the tragic death of Aidan Ellison, please read and share at your own discretion...
09/22/20
Hawthorne Sweeps
On the morning of September 22, 2020, officers of the Medford Police Department entered Hawthorne Park with the express purpose of forcibly removing members of the community who had been sheltering in place in tents as a direct result of the devastating fires that displaced thousands of people less than two weeks before...
08/28/20
Rogue River You ARE Enough Event
Earlier this month, the Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity (hereby referred to as SOEquity) announced we would be holding a community event and march in Rogue River, Oregon on Saturday, August 29, 2020 titled "You Are Enough." The goal of this event was to provide a space for residents of Rogue River, especially young people of color, to share their experiences and educate the community on systemic racism...
10/05/21
Hawthorne Resident Arrested
Around 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, the Medford Police Livability, in partnership with the Jackson County Sheriff Department, arrested an unhoused man, who goes by Donnie, living in Hawthorne Park. This was a premature action as a result of a 72-hour eviction notice issued on Monday, October 4, 2021...
07/13/21
Support LGBTQ+ Youth
In April of 2021, two educators at North Middle School in Grants Pass, science teacher Katie Medart and vice principal Rachel Damiano, launched a campaign called the “I Resolve Movement.” This campaign focuses on students’ gender identity and promotes the following policies:
03/15/21
Medford Prohibited Camping Ordinance
The Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity is a group that is focused on creating a more equitable and accessible Southern Oregon through an anti-racist lens. Because we believe that equity is for everyone, we cannot sit idly by and watch the Medford City Council pass such a cruel and inhumane ordinance...
09/24/20
Breonna Taylor Injustice
As Black leaders in our community, we are grieving and we are devastated by the injustice announced regarding Breonna Taylor's murder on September 23, 2020. We also recognize that as Black people in the public eye in our community, we are not afforded the same space to react emotionally...
09/01/20
EVCA Board Meeting
The last few days have been a whirlwind for the leaders of SOEquity. After an outpour of support that effectively drowned out the hate we witnessed in Rogue River on Saturday, August 29, 2020, we have begun to see a small but troubling pattern amongst some of our fellow community members...