Planned Parenthood Protest

Hundreds of Eugeneans gathered Feb. 23 the protest the Republican-led House vote to de-fund Title X, the federal government’s grant program devoted to family planning and health services. The loss of Title X funds could force the 23,783 women who received Title-X funded health care through Planned Parenthood to do without STI screening, annual exams and contraception.

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and Congressman Peter DeFazio spoke at the rally. Piercy, who served on the board of Planned Parenthood, urged the protesters to find ways to support the program in the wake of legislative attacks. “Planned Parenthood serves us all but they also serve those who have the least access to services,” Piercy said.

DeFazio criticized cuts to health services while agricultural subsidies and tax credits to large corporations continued untouched. “It isn’t just an attack on the health of women, it’s an attack on the health of America,” DeFazio said. “I do not believe that the majority of the American people support the attack on women’s rights and women’s health.”

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!