The Lumberjack student newspaper

Planned Parenthood supporters gather outside Humboldt County Courthouse

Translate

By | Ali Osgood

Hundreds of people rally on the steps of the Humboldt County Superior Courthouse on Saturday afternoon to support Planned Parenthood. Women, men, children and dogs clutch signs with Planned Parenthood logos and personal statements as they encourage honks from the cars passing by Fifth Street.

Rallies erupted across the United States on Saturday in opposition to defund Planned Parenthood. Member of the former Six Rivers Planned Parenthood Board, Carolyn Hino-Bourassa, helped organize the local event in just under a week.

“Hearing that they were targeting our own clinic in Eureka, we wanted to draw attention away from that,” Hino-Bourassa said.

#PPprotest, an organization that opposes abortion rights, helped organize 225 demonstrations in 45 states according to its website. They are urging for government defunding of Planned Parenthood. The Eureka clinic was not on the list of the 42 demonstrations scheduled in California.

Johnathan Desoto stands with his friend as they encourage drivers to honk in support of Planned Parenthood on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Ali Osgood.

The nationwide rallies prompted counter protests across the United States. Many in the local humboldt community felt it was important to stand in solidarity with the non-profit organization.

Johnathan Desoto was one of the supporters in the crowd in Eureka. Desoto has volunteered with Planned Parenthood as a registered nurse.

“I believe [Planned] Parenthood is an integral part to not just women’s health but community health in general,” Desoto said. “Health education is something that really works. Planned Parenthood is really something I believe in.”

The event organizers estimated up to 300 supporters on Saturday. Carolyn Hino-Bourassa was one of the event organizers.

“[I feel] overwhelmed, to say the least, for putting it together in under a week. It’s amazing,” Hino-Bourassa said. “One of the goals today was to make more connections and be very good at mobilizing several people very quickly, and I think we’ve proven we can do it.”

Abortion services account for less than 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services nationwide according to their annual report from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014. 45 percent of its services go toward testing and treating sexually transmitted diseases with 31 percent going toward contraceptive services.

Their largest single source of money comes from the federal government which makes up for nearly half of the organization’s funds.  The other half comes from private contributions and other nongovernment sources.

Republican lawmakers across the United States are working to propose bills that cut public funding to all organizations that offer abortions. According to ABC News, House Speaker Paul Ryan has pledged “that Republicans will complete legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act this year and that he expected legislation to defund Planned Parenthood would be included.”

Dave Turner attended the Saturday rally in Eureka in support for Planned Parenthood. Turner is on the Board of Advocates as well as the Northern California Planned Parenthood Board of Directors. He is prepared to work hard to protect the local clinic and the organization.

“Many of our efforts are going to be focussed on working with our local government officials both at the state and federal level, because the funding of Planned Parenthood is a critical issue for us.” Turner said. “We are trying to appeal for some common sense in keeping Planned Parenthood funded and operating.”

Over 25o Planned Parenthood supporters hold up signs as cars beckon honks of support. The organizers were please with the attendance on Saturday. Photo by Ali Osgood.

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination