Local man helps keep protests peaceful

Wagoner, who is one of the protest leaders, saw the commotion start when a crowd swarmed a man protecting his car with an assault rifle.

Man is exclusively speaking to kezi after he stepped in to defuse a tense situation at a protest on sunday.

Kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy is live outside the federal courthouse in downtown eugene and shares with us what isiah wagoner says we can learn from this moment in american history.

Matt and renee-- protesters have gathered here for the seventh day of protests to stand up against systemic racism and police brutality.

Isiah wagoner tells me he kept the peace last sunday because he wants the community to see these protests behind me as peaceful demonstration.

This video from last sunday shows wagoner trying to break up a crowd that was swarming a man who had a gun.

Wagoner is in the green shirt and he's one of the protest leaders that has helped keep things peaceful all week.

At 6 foot 4 he says he wanted to use his large presence to stand up against racisim in this country and the community.

Racisim that he says is engrained into american socitey... like not giving minorities equal opportunities and profilinng someone because of the color of their skin.

Wagoner says he is out here today to shape a better future for his daughter.

To not be marginalized to be able to get a job not just because she a black woman but because she qualified, not just because she beautiful but because her mind is beautiful that what i want for my daughter.

I want people to look at her with inspirations pride and happiness and bringing people together, not that this is just a black woman because she more than that.

Wagoner says he is grateful for the eugene police officers who have helped block traffic to keep protesters safe to allow them to demonstrate and be heard.

Matt and renee-- tonight's seventh night of protesting is just getting underway and we'll have the full story at 11 with updates throughout the night on our social media platforms. live in eugene connor mccarthy kezi nine news.

The unrest across the country