Protests Focus on Taxes, Postal Service

A broad coalition of peace, justice and labor activists are organizing a series of actions on tax day, April 15, calling on Congress to redirect war dollars to fund education, job creation, universal health care and other vital services. Activists are also demanding the U.S. Postal Service keep open the Gateway Processing Facility in Springfield and rural post offices open.

The day’s events will begin at 11 am Monday at the downtown Post Office, 520 Willamette St., with the annual Penny Poll. Passersby will be invited to take 10 pennies and put them in jars representing six categories of the federal budget, indicating priorities in federal spending.

At noon will be a rally with speakers and music. In addition, war-tax resisters who object to over half of their federal taxes going to the military will be redirecting these “war” taxes to local organizations. Some of these organizations will be on hand to receive their donations.

At 1 pm will be a march from the Post Office to the new U.S. Courthouse for a 1:30 pm rally. Marchers will turn in cards to the congressional offices of Sen. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio that call on action to bring the war dollars home.

Also on tax day, Whirled Pies Pizzeria, 1123 Monroe in Eugene, will donate a percentage of sales from 11 am to 8 pm to support Community Alliance of Lane County’s peace and justice work. Contact CALC at 485-1755 or calcoffice@gmail.com for more information.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!