Creswell Parade Marks Third Year of Advocacy for Justice for Eddie Dungan

     The Justice for Eddie Dungan group proudly participated in the 4th of July Parade in Creswell, Oregon—marking our third consecutive year in the event. This tradition is deeply meaningful to our movement, as Creswell is the hometown where Eddie was raised. Each year, our presence honors Eddie’s life and opens the door for community engagement, helping to educate the public on the realities of incarceration and the urgent need for reform within Oregon’s prison system. 

     This year, we handed out over 300 informational flyers along the parade route, sharing Eddie’s story and shedding light on the ongoing issues within the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC). In addition, we distributed many pounds of candy, bringing smiles to local families while also delivering a message that matters. 

     Our goal is clear: to ensure the public understands what’s happening behind the prison walls. When more people are informed, more people are empowered to take action. Since Eddie Dungan’s death on January 8, 2023, several other adults in custody (AICs) have lost their lives under troubling circumstances. ODOC must be held accountable for these preventable and unlawful deaths. 

     It’s important to remember that AICs are not just numbers—they are someone’s son, daughter, father, mother, or loved one. The State of Oregon has a responsibility to care for these individuals, and that includes upholding their Eighth Amendment rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, which guarantees access to adequate medical care. 

     Although there have been some reported improvements within ODOC’s medical services, we continue to receive disturbing reports from families whose loved ones are not receiving the care they need. In some cases, getting basic medical attention has turned into an ongoing battle. If ODOC cannot provide that care, then it is the state's obligation to find qualified professionals who can. 

     We are also calling for the creation of an independent oversight committee with full authority to investigate ODOC operations and report findings to the public. Without accountability and transparency, the same patterns of neglect and abuse will continue unchecked. 

     Justice for Eddie Dungan will not back down. We are committed to shining a light on these injustices and keeping the conversation going through public engagement—something ODOC has consistently resisted. Our movement is about more than one life. It’s about every life lost to neglect, mistreatment, and systemic failure. We will continue to advocate, educate, and push for the change that is so desperately needed.