Both Sides Of Abortion Fight Turn Out In Force At Planned Parenthood Clinics Across Country
Activists in the anti-abortion movement set up rallies at Planned Parenthood clinics, including ones in California, for the weekend, but they were met with counter-protesters who came out to support the organization.
The Associated Press:
Anti-Abortion Activists, Counter-Protesters Rally Around US
Anti-abortion activists emboldened by the new administration of President Donald Trump staged rallies around the country Saturday calling for the federal government to cut off payments to Planned Parenthood, but in some cities counter-protests dwarfed the demonstrations. Thousands of Planned Parenthood supporters, many wearing the pointy-eared pink hats popularized by last month's women's marches, turned out for a rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, separated by barricades from an anti-abortion crowd of a couple hundred people. In Detroit, about 300 people turned up outside a Planned Parenthood office, most of them supporting the organization. In St. Louis, thousands marched, many carrying pink signs that read, "I stand with Planned Parenthood." (2/11)
The Mercury News:
Thousands Rally To Support Planned Parenthood, Women's Rights
As part of a thunderous response to anti-abortion groups targeting Planned Parenthood locations nationwide, thousands of abortion rights demonstrators lined The Alameda on Saturday, rallying in support of the nonprofit that provides abortions and other medical services to women throughout the United States. Wearing many shades of pink and holding posters that read “Stand with Planned Parenthood” and “Keep your religion off my body,” the crowd of about 4,000 people focused on the decades-long debate over whether women should be allowed to decide whether to terminate their pregnancies. (Sanchez, 2/11)
KQED:
Anti-Planned Parenthood Rally Overshadowed By Counter-Protest In SF
Protesters opposed to – and in support of – abortion clashed outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in San Francisco on Saturday, arguing over whether taxpayer money should go to a women’s health organization that provides abortion. “We think that the other side has some valid concerns about women’s health,” said Terrisa Bukovinac, president of Pro-Life Future San Francisco. “However we are absolutely not OK with federal funds going to an organization that profits from human demise.” The rally was one of 200 organized across the country – about 30 of them in California – by anti-abortion activists, urging Congress to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood. In several locations, including Denver and St. Paul, Minn., demonstrators were outnumbered by counter-protesters. (Dembosky, 2/11)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Nationwide Planned Parenthood Protests Energize Patients, Opponents
[Damien] Cox is among those voicing support for the nonprofit reproductive health organization at what could be a critical moment in its history. President Trump and his administration have threatened to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood, because the services provided by the clinics include abortions. On Saturday, the debate will crest with nationwide rallies — including at clinics in San Francisco, Redwood City and Napa — calling for the “defunding” of Planned Parenthood. (Ravani, 2/10)