Morse Youth Program finds its voice.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

Moments before one of Saturday's downpours, Ari Lesser, 20, asked the audience at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza, "Who knows how to hippie dance?"

When the rain came, some folks huddled under a small canopy, but more people rushed toward the microphone to dance or quietly bobbed their heads where they stood as Lesser gave step-by-step instructions on how to do the hippie dance.

By the time he finished, at least 20 people were actively executing some of Eugene's patented moves.

This is downtown Eugene on a Saturday from April until October when the open air Saturday Market, the Lane County Farmers' Market and the Wayne Morse Youth Program set up to attract crowds of craft, art, music, flower and food lovers.

Lesser was one of several young people who took advantage of the first open mike event of the season sponsored by the Wayne Morse Youth Program.

"It's a free speech rave," program co-manager Iana Matthews-Harris said, watching the dancers from the south side of the plaza.

Matthews-Harris, 19, was one of the people who worked with Lane County officials last season after they shut off power at the venue in April because of problems with drug use, violence and vandalism.

Matthews-Harris and other participants believe that the youth program was unfairly blamed for the anti-social behavior. Participants felt that the loss of power violated their right to free speech because the bi-monthly program could not go on without amplification. The county restored power in May, for a fee.

It may be too early to tell, but those who were there last year said they think this year is more organized, with more speakers, poets, musicians and artists participating.

"They're definitely one of the best youth programs out there," Skye Rios, 16, said. "They are the most authentically supportive. It's a challenge to be a youth and be respected at the same time. That's kind of the reason they are here, to help the youth who don't have much to do."

Rios said he has noticed a decrease in drug activity since the open mikes started.

"It's helping the scene, making it more positive," he said. "Change comes from the people, not the police. The police can hush a problem, but they can't change a problem."

This year, at the request of the Saturday Market, Eugene police will patrol the area on foot and not wait to respond to a particular incident, police Lt. Scott Fellman said.

Five officers and two sergeants patrolled the Park Blocks on Saturday, including the Free Speech Plaza, and made two arrests for alleged drug dealing, Fellman said. Police cited seven people for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana or for having open alcohol containers. Fellman said most of the police activity was in the Free Speech Plaza.

But Fellman, who spent some time downtown Saturday, noted the band and crowd was better-behaved than last year.

"It's more than we'd like to see," Fellman said of the drug use. "There was more than we could handle."

But there was no violence or other activity that would interfere with others enjoying the scene on Saturday, Fellman said, and incidents of drinking were down.

"If we weren't there I think it would have been a lot worse," he said. "What happened last year was the criminal element took over the space. What we're trying to do this year is establish upfront that it's not going to be tolerated."

Matthews-Harris said she welcomes the police so long as they treat those in the area with respect. She said she believes that the youth program is part of the solution.

While open mike was on weather-related hiatus, the program hosted events at local venues such as Cozmic Pizza and the WOW Hall. The program is trying to raise $15,000 for a Free Speech Mobile, so youths will have a mobile stage during Saturday free speech events, and also for programs at neighborhood parks and other events.