Eugene protest.jpeg

An anti-Trump crowd gathered in front of the federal courthouse in Eugene on Sunday during a peaceful rally.

(Eugene Police Department)

A peaceful anti-Trump protest in Eugene on Sunday ended with a group splintering off and attacking the car of a Trump supporter.

Eugene police said 1,000 rallied outside the federal courthouse and then a group of about 150 people held an unscheduled march downtown. They walked through the streets blocking traffic, and at one point, they encountered a driver with a pro-Trump flag on the car. They ripped it off and partially burned it and then protesters started pounding on the vehicle. They also punctured a tire.

Police said the driver was not hurt but denounced the attack.

"Everyone is our community has a constitutional right to voice their opinion, exercise their right to a lawful assembly and carry on with their daily lives without being harassed, intimidated or retaliated by any individual or group," said Eugene Police Capt. Sam Kamkar. "To harm someone or their property due to perceived political beliefs is a bias crime and we will not tolerate that in Eugene"

Officers are investigating the incident. They asked anyone with information about it to call the non-emergency number at 542-682-5111.

-- Lynne Terry