Brian Bull

More than a thousand people marched in frigid weather through Eugene.

While many carried signs with MLK's portrait or quotes, some denounced President Trump and ICE.

DeMond Hawkins of the Eugene Springfield branch of the NAACP said that between Trump's anti-DEI initiatives and the Supreme Court's chipping away at the Voting Rights Act, there are struggles ahead.

Immigrants' rights and contributions were also recognized at the march.

For NPR News, I'm Brian Bull in Eugene.

Families line up for a Black Santa event in Eugene.

An initiative called the Belonging Space coordinates events with Black, Indigenous, and Queer Santas to give marginalized communities a safe and welcoming space for the holidays.

Greg Black plays Black Santa.

He says there were never any for him growing up.

Coordinators of the event say anyone with a holiday spirit is qualified to play the jolly old elf.

For NPR News, I'm Brian Bull in Eugene, Oregon.