If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Early Thursday morning the quiet serenity of the east side community of River Road in Eugene was awakened with the sounds of huge trucks laden with the killing machines of contractors paid to destroy a community of 40 trees and the wildlife that called it home.
Like the paid mercenaries they were, the woodsmen soldiers — just following orders — ignored the cries of the Willamette River neighbors who tried to stop the slaughter that soon began. For this witness, the sounds of breaking limbs torn from the giant trees, and the crushing of living matter brought to me images of what a genocide must sound like when women, children and the aged and infirm cannot get out of the way of the machines of war and the mercenaries who drive them.
Some 30 thriving trees lost their lives to the war on homelessness, yet not one of the 93 units of the new market-rate apartment complex will help those most needing homes.
In my ears and heart, I shall forever hear the muffled screams of those majestic trees as they were repeatedly pummeled by those huge machines until they had not one remaining waving branch. If a tree falls in the forest, the answer is yes, it makes a sound. I can only pray those forest trees fall with greater peace than the trees taken at the hand of woodsmen soldiers here in Eugene, on May 13, 2021.
Miaya Sustaita
Eugene
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!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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