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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Planned Parenthood reopens Pullman clinic after arson

Supporters and protesters of Planned Parenthood line the intersection of Bishop Boulevard and state Highway 270 in Pullman. The rallies drew roughly 1,000 demonstrators. A Planned Parenthood clinic in Pullman was damaged in early September in what investigators call an arson attack. (Chad Sokol / The Spokesman-Review)
Josh Babcock Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Slightly less than six months after the Pullman Planned Parenthood building was set on fire, the organization was once again offering services out of its longtime home this past week.

The organization held an open house event Friday that was attended by Planned Parenthood officials and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s wife, Trudi Inslee.

“We repeatedly got the question, ‘Are you scared? Are you afraid of what might happen? How are staff reacting?’ ” Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho CEO Karl Eastlund said during a speech to the roughly 100 people who attended the event. “I was really encouraged by one of our staff, who said, ‘I am scared of a world without Planned Parenthood – that’s the most frightening thing for me.’ ”

Trudi Inslee told those gathered that no person should “face violence or intimidation for seeking their constitutionally guaranteed medical care, and no provider should ever face violence for giving that care.”

“I’m here because Jay and I are so proud of our state’s strong tradition of supporting reproductive health and rights, in particular a woman’s right to choose,” she said.

She said Washington state has been leading the nation for decades in reproductive health care, but added those rights are under the most scrutiny they have seen since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“It’s heartbreaking to think that so many others across our nation do not have this kind of access,” Inslee said. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to protect reproductive freedom for the next generation and not take it for granted.”

Inside the repaired building, members of Planned Parenthood’s Teen Council offered tours.

Eastlund told the Daily News much of the facility is the same, except for some major security upgrades, including stronger and more secure windows. The Spokesman-Review reported in September that a flammable object captured on Planned Parenthood surveillance footage was thrown through a window in the facility.

Eastlund said there will be no changes to staff or hours at the facility.

“It’s good to complete it – it was a real challenge,” he said.

Eastlund said contractors and property owners were hesitant to work with Planned Parenthood as it looked for a temporary space and to rebuild.

“A lot of people wanted to help but were feeling pressure from other places to not help,” Eastlund said.

Frances Jones, area services manager for Pullman Planned Parenthood, was distributing contraception and coordinating with Planned Parenthood patients in the parking lot outside the facility the week of the attack. She said she isn’t afraid of standing with Planned Parenthood.

“Now that we know the community supports us, we feel safer than before,” she said.

Eastlund said the fire caused $800,000 in damage to the building. After insurance, the cost to Planned Parenthood to repair the facility was about $250,000. Jones said that was raised by 2,200 donors, many local, and others from across the country.

“These doors stay open,” Pullman City Council member Eileen Macoll said. “It’s a community health care center for all that are in need, without judgment, prejudice, and it’s a safe place.”

“We can’t go backwards. We can’t let devastating violent events such as this stop us from continuing ahead with our mission. We need leaders in the Legislature, Congress and in the White House to join with us,” Inslee said. “We are proud of the resolve you are showing in reopening this clinic, and even while you were rebuilding you provided essential health care and family planning services for more than 3,000 people in the Palouse.”