Winston Mayor Addresses Confrontation With Protesters During Melon Festival Parade

WINSTON, Ore. - A confrontation between Winston Mayor Christie Knutson and protesters during Saturday’s Winston-Dillard Melon Festival parade drew a packed audience to Monday night’s City Council meeting.

The Sept. 19 encounter involved Knutson and a group of protesters who identify themselves publicly as Concrete the Klown, Knuckles the Klown, and Octane the Klown. The group said it was displaying signs along the parade route to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and sex crimes.

Knutson read a prepared statement before the council opened the floor for public comments. She said she approached the protesters and asked them not to encroach into the parade.

“My concern in that moment was the nature of the event, the many children who were participating and attending, and my desire to preserve the parade as a safe, positive, and family-centered community celebration,” Knutson said.

Knutson acknowledged that the conversation became heated and apologized for her role in the escalation.

“As mayor, I recognize that I have a responsibility to conduct myself with patience and professionalism, particularly when emotions are high and people have differing perspectives,” she said.

Knutson said she did not intend to silence the protesters or interfere with their right to express their views. She said her concern was maintaining the parade as a family-oriented event without drawing children and families into what she described as an adult and deeply sensitive subject.

“I care deeply about the safety and well-being of children in our community,” Knutson said. “I also respect the rights of individuals to peacefully express themselves. Those principles do not have to be in conflict.”

Concrete the Klown, also known as Concrete, offered a different account of the encounter. In a written statement, Concrete said he and two other protesters were advocating for the protection of children from abuse and sex crimes when Knutson approached them. He said he did not initially know she was the mayor.

Concrete alleged that Knutson told him he could not protest and described him as a violent protester. He said she moved close to him, yelled profanity, and held a metal flagger sign near his face and, at one point, toward the top of his head. Concrete said saliva landed on his sunglasses while she was yelling.

Those allegations have not been independently verified.

“I’m not here to assign blame,” Concrete said. “I’m asking the council to review how Winston handles protesters and protests, so that reasonable rules are applied fairly and peaceful expression is protected.”

Concrete asked Knutson to resign.

“I’m asking the mayor to step down from her position tonight, so I don’t have to pursue legal action,” Concrete told the council.

His second request concerned safety in parks, playgrounds, and other public places where children gather. Concrete asked the council to request a report from the Winston police chief and city attorney outlining the city’s ordinances and park rules concerning registered sex offenders, how those rules are enforced, and whether any gaps exist under Oregon law.

He also asked the city to coordinate with Douglas County Community Corrections and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. Concrete requested that both topics be placed on a future council agenda with staff reports.

Knuckles the Klown told the council that he recorded part of the encounter and supported Concrete's version of events. Another member of the group, who identified himself as Octane the Klown, also called for Knutson to step down.

Several other speakers criticized the mayor’s conduct and said they believed the protesters’ First Amendment rights had been infringed. One Winston resident said the confrontation reflected poorly on the city and joined the call for Knutson’s resignation.

During public comment, Greg Knutson, who identified himself as Mayor Christie Knutson’s husband, disputed claims circulating about the encounter. He said asking the protesters to keep their signs out of the parade did not violate their First Amendment rights and rejected allegations concerning the mayor’s conduct.

His remarks were interrupted by audience members, leading to a tense exchange before Mayor Knutson asked her husband to stop.

The council did not take formal action concerning the incident during the open meeting, and no official determination was made about whether anyone’s constitutional rights were violated.

In closing her statement, Knutson apologized to the community, those present during the confrontation, and families who attended the parade.

“My hope is that we can move forward together with mutual respect and continue working to make Winston a community where our children and families feel safe, supported, and proud to call home,” she said.