‘Fight for your land’: group gathers in downtown Bend to protest proposed sale of public lands
Claire Elmer
(Update: adding video, interview with advocate, full report)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Saturday morning in downtown Bend, protesters gathered to push back against the proposed sale of public lands in Oregon. The group convened in Drake Park before making their way to Peace Corner.
The proposal being protested was introduced by Utah Republican Senator, Mike Lee, as a provision to the Trump administration’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”. It would open the door to selling off more than three million acres of public lands across 11 western states, including Oregon.
The way it is written, the bill would allow nearly any type of Nation Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land to be sold, even if it’s currently used for public outdoor recreation. For Oregonians, this includes popular trails and recreational sites — including Sparks Lake, Mt. Hood, and more.
National Parks, Wilderness, and other protective designations are excluded from potential sales. Aside from exclusion of those lands, there are practically no other restrictions that would prohibit what non-excluded lands could be sold, or for what purpose.
After reading the proposal in its entirety, outdoor advocate Grace Schuessler felt she had to do something. “As an outdoor recreation community, particularly in Bend, Oregon, we want to say that our land is not for sale. It is for us and for outdoor recreation, whether it’s motorized or non-motorized,” Schuessler told KTVZ News.
Protesters argue the bill prioritizes drilling and logging, slashes environmental safeguards, and bypasses public input. They hope to spread the word about what’s at stake and let elected officials know where they stand.
“I think it’s a great way for us to inspire other states to get out there to protest and to let their elected official officials know that we’re not going to stand down. We’re going to stand up. We’re using our voice,” said Schuessler.
Saturday’s protest in Bend remained peaceful and drew honks of support from passing drivers. Schuessler felt that seeing a unified community show up for the cause made the day a success.
“The main message I want to get out there is just to have people stand up for their land and fight for their land. Please reach out to your Senators, please reach out to your elected officials, and let them know that we don’t stand for this. That is going to be the way we get our voice heard,” said Schuessler.
Schuessler hopes to organize more protests against the provision throughout the summer. Though she organized Saturday’s protest as an individual, she told KTVZ News that the Outdoor Alliance has been a major help in providing information and support.