LOGAN – A planned protest against the annual Chocolate Festival by local pro-life groups largely fizzled on Feb. 7 at the Riverwoods Conference Center.
Fewer than 25 demonstrators turned out to protest the fundraiser for Planned Parenthood and their flags, chants and signs had seemingly little impact on attendance at the event.
The protest – organized by the local chapter of Turning Point USA on the campus of Utah State University – had hoped to deter admittance to the gala celebration. But the pro-life demonstrators found themselves obliged to limit their protest to dark public sidewalks flanking a driveway entrance nearly half a block away from the door of the conference center.
It’s doubtful therefore that the majority of the throng of chocolate-lovers and Planned Parenthood supporters at the annual fundraiser in the conference center were even aware of the small-scale protest nearby.
Since its inception in 1987, the Chocolate Festival’s organizers say the event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support inclusive and affordable health care services for Utah residents, including those in Cache Valley.
Until early last year, a Planned Parenthood location in Logan offered abortion medication, many forms of birth control, emergency contraception, HIV services, pregnancy testing, family planning, vaccines, sexually-transmitted disease tests, cancer screenings and more.
In April, the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah announced the closure of its Logan and St. George locations, citing the loss of $2.8 million in Title X funding from the Trump administration.
Title X is the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing affordable family planning. Since it was enacted in 1970 with bipartisan support, the program has helped millions get essential, preventive health care.
More recently, however, Planned Parenthood resumed low cost services for qualified patients under a restored federal grant, with the exception of abortion counseling and services.
The annual Chocolate festival featured elaborate chocolate desserts prepared by local pastry chefs, chocolatiers, restaurants caterers and community groups.