In Memoriam: Eric ‘Pineapple’ Jackson
On Nov. 29, the local community suffered a sudden and profound loss with the passing of outspoken houseless advocate and local human rights activist Eric Jackson. He was 57.
Jackson’s story is an inspirational one of selflessness and determination.
A successful New Jersey businessman, Jackson left the East Coast—and everything he had essentially known—to live on Eugene’s streets and advocate for the growing unhoused population through countless public demonstrations and by leading protest camps throughout the city, helping anyone, and everyone, he could along the way.
In 2018, Jackson really stirred-the-pot by leading what was known as the “Butterfly Camp,” a protest camp that was situated around the city’s infamous “Butterfly Lot,” the now-razed parking lot at the center of the city’s tumultuous journey for a new City Hall. As a result of the protest camp, the city manager and council decided to open a “winter survival site” in Downtown Eugene, however, local pushback from businesses led the city to abandoning their plans and set up a site near Highway 99 instead.
Just a few months later, in February 2019, he protested both the city and county’s actions towards the unhoused community by camping in the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza. On Feb. 14, he was arrested for violating the plaza’s curfew. Years later, in 2021, he was convicted and, with the aid of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, filed an appeal citing the constitutionality of limiting the open hours of a free speech plaza. Unfortunately, his conviction was upheld and the Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Jackson, as always, was undeterred.
As the COVID-19 pandemic set in and the city’s houseless population increased—along with an equally retaliatory City of Eugene and Eugene Police Department—Jackson was instrumental in challenging the parks bans and countless fines and citations being issued en masse.
Over time, his perseverance and determination to end the city’s horrendous treatment of its unhoused led to being cited and issued more than $10,000 in fines. Resilient, Jackson kept going until his sudden passing.
The day after his death, on Nov. 30, a few dozen community members gathered at Andreason’s Cremation in Springfield for a viewing. Many spoke amongst each other, sharing memories of Jackson. Some sat with him, told the community leader about the impacts he had on their lives on the community, and others played his favorite music on their cell phones. Before leaving, the group of community members and loved ones filed past Jackson one-by-one, and paid their respects.
Of him, the CLDC said in a statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of this tireless advocate for the unhoused, and for social justice in general. We were inspired by his unflagging dedication to raise social awareness of the way the City of Eugene marginalizes and punishes people in crisis, and we were honored to represent him in his First Amendment challenges to those tactics.”
Stop The Sweeps-Eugene provided the following statement:
“It is with profound sorrow that we at Stop the Sweeps mourn the untimely passing of a beloved community leader and tireless advocate for the unhoused, Eric Jackson, often known simply as Jackson and affectionately known to many as ‘Pineapple.’ At just 57 years old, Jackson’s life was a testament to his unwavering dedication to fight for those most targeted and oppressed by the systems that should protect us. Jackson’s passing is a tragic loss for our community.
Jackson had a powerful sense of justice and fairness. He authored a manifesto declaring that the houseless should have equal access to human rights, including food, shelter, freedom from oppression, and fair legal representation.
In Eugene, Jackson lived his manifesto as a fearless and fierce warrior for the houseless. He was a backbone of resistance against the oppression houseless folks face on a daily basis. Come across his camp, surrounded with multiple tents, and you were likely to find him organizing houseless folks, reading or crafting legal arguments, or, with notable self-possession, resisting police in defense of his own and others’ rights. Jackson’s belongings were confiscated countless times by the City, and he was on a first name basis with officials in the city and county who abuse the unhoused.
Jackson’s relationship with the Eugene city council and the chief of police was well-known, as was his reputation among fellow houseless advocates. While some viewed him as an outsider and a disrupter, unwilling to compromise with the powers that be, it was these very qualities that made him invaluable. For those who have no options, when their possessions were stolen, when their only homes were taken, when neighbors spouted lies against them, Jackson was there to offer community, a voice, and hope.
To the City’s cold-blooded systemic oppression of the unhoused, Jackson was a pariah. Where the City planned gentrification and genocide to the poor, Eric brought high visibility and practical obstruction, slowing the roll. Bigoted bureaucrats squirmed at his name. To us he was a shining example of how to be. Broke but always Unbroken. Poor and brimming with kindness. Raging against the oppressors, smiling and laughing all the way. When the shit hit the fan Jackson was there. He plugged in the fan and made sure the fan was pointed at the monsters claiming to be in ‘Charge.’
The void left by Jackson is immense. Jackson, ‘Pineapple,’ was not just an advocate, he was a symbol of resilience, a tireless fighter for justice, and a source of hope for many. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the indomitable spirit he embodied. In honor of Jackson’s life and profound impact on our community, we call upon our community and allies to join us in continuing his fight in advocating for the rights of the houseless community, in challenging the injustices houseless folks face daily, and in working towards a future where everyone has access to the basic necessities of life.
Rest in power, Jackson.”
I appreciate the focus on Jackson’s human-rights activism, as it was certainly bad-ass and shook some of the pillars in our city. That being said, is there nothing more to talk about of his life and death than this?
Also, I know he wasn’t the ONLY activist on the front lines, fighting the systemic bigotry and oppression of the homeless, or however one might phrase it…. but with his passing, I’m curious of who will do things such as plead “not guilty” for their criminal trespass 2, or their violation of park rules and do things such as organize the resources to write-up a lawsuit against the city of Eugene? Who will sleep downtown for a month until they finally get a “prohibited camping” citation, so they can fight such an absurdity and try to battle the bs perpetuated the municipality of Eugene?
Obviously, these PRECISE actions are unnecessary, as the ball has already begun rolling, or bouncing sporadically across the court or whatever…. But, I am curious who I can now send a Facebook message at 2 in the morning to get insight on how to take legal action against the city over my 1500ish dollars in “camping” and “trespassing” fines. I say this partially in jest but also as a legitimate inquiry as to who- if anyone/any organization – is taking legal action for the ABSURDITY of these citations– some of which are CRIMINAL(such as “criminal trespass 2”, which is by no moral or just standing “trespassing”) — and the NUMBER of these citations which have been issued/plead to with no pushback or question moral or legal right to do so?
to follow-up, RIP Eric Jackson.
though, I didn’t know you extremely well, I always appreciated your insight, company and general demeanour and outlook on the world. Thanks for being the person you were and thank you for your personal impact on my existence, and on many, as well as the structural boundaries you tore up/questioned when others simply let it be as it were