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Lane County Fair merchandise raises eyebrows and concerns
Jul 25, 2025 Updated 16 hrs ago 34
Alligator Alcatraz T-shirts

EUGENE, Ore. – The Lane County Fair is drawing crowds with its thrilling rides, lively music, and delicious food. However, some fair merchandise is causing controversy among attendees.

Social media is buzzing with disapproval and anger over T-shirts being sold that depict Alligator Alcatraz. This makeshift immigration detention facility was established by the Trump administration in the Florida Everglades and has been criticized by human rights groups as cruel and inhumane.

“Honestly it’s kind of sad,” said Jasper Burchard, a concerned fairgoer. “It’s really sad to see something so messed up just being paraded around like it’s something fun. It’s sad to see something in general but to see someone wearing merch of it.”

Fair officials acknowledged that they are aware of the shirts being sold but did not provide any further comment.

As the Lane County Fair continues, the controversy over these T-shirts remains a topic of discussion among attendees and the wider community.

FYI I have inquired if the Tillamook County Fair will have a booth selling these T-shirts and have not recieved a response. Is anyone aware if they are, please reply here and to me.

On July 18, the Republican controlled Congress passed a bill that eliminates two years of previously approved federal-funding for Public Broadcasting. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) lost $5 million – nine percent of its budget. Meanwhile, President Trump has spent an estimated $56 million tax-payer dollars to play golf during the past six months.

This bill wasn’t a money saving measure. It wasn’t passed to root out fraud or stop wasteful spending. It was passed by the sycophants of a tyrant because he doesn’t approve of the content – his lies cannot stand in the light of truth. This bill was a blatant attack on freedom of the press – a First Amendment Right.

OPB provides news, information, entertainment, and community connection through radio, television, and the internet. It provides warnings in rural areas about natural disasters. Big Bird and friends have taught children how to read, count and get along for fifty years. Federal funding allowed OPB programming to reach remote rural areas. OPB is brought to Tillamook through KTMK FM.

Without a strong independent source of news and information, one-source news that flatters the present administration will allow it to continue its abuse of power. Misinformation will be accepted as truth. Democracy as we have known it, and for which so many over these past 250 years fought and died, will decline.

Oregon Public Broadcasting needs the public’s support now more than ever (opb.org). The public needs Oregon Public Broadcasting more than ever before.

Sincerely,
Ruth LaFrance

Protecting our healthcare and feeding people doesn’t seem to be at the top of the list for our National Government. Nor is it important in Gaza. What a tragic situation they are going through. How can we change this? Well, first we need to let our Senators and Representatives know they are not serving the people who are keeping this country going. Our Senators and Representatives are serving the elite. If we let them keep going in this direction, we can only blame ourselves for the damage we are doing to our Country and the World. Please stand up for Democracy! Put our families first and protect our health care!

Bring a chair if you need one (I do), consider layers of clothing as the wind may pick up, if you have signs, please bring them, otherwise we have extra signs. Water would be good to bring. Bring a good attitude as we are PEACEFUL PROTEST. Please leave your off-color signs at home as we want to promote “FAMILIES FIRST” and negative signs will only defeat the cause.

Thank you all so much for being PROTESTERS. We do have the freedom to PROTEST. We will never give up. You are one of so many here in the USA who are protesting what is going on in the government today. Hope to see you in Wheeler on Saturday.

Best,
Patty