I know nothing with regard to the operation of Planned Parenthood, and whether or not they are a legitimate, well-run and helpful organization, but I would assume they are.
Anyway, the fact that the opposition holds prayer vigils throughout the country sends out loud bells and whistles, along with flashing red lights in my direction. I’ve always avoided taking the side of religious nuts who think the invisible man in the sky truly exists, much less that he listens to prayers. TGO
Refer to story below. Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Protesters converged on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington on Monday in what they said was one of a number of nationwide prayer vigils at the group’s operations, which they say encourage sex trafficking.
The groups, which attracted about 70 to 100 people to the Washington vigil, would like to see an end to government subsidies for health provider Planned Parenthood.
Live Action — part of a coalition of anti-abortion groups called Expose Planned Parenthood sponsoring the vigils — has in recent weeks released videos in which men and women posing as players in the sex trade request help from Planned Parenthood in getting abortions for under-age prostitutes.
“The horrors exposed in the recent videos were not isolated incidents in the history of a group willing to be a chief ally in the exploitation of women and girls,” said Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser, in a statement after the protest.
“Yet, this organization insists that it deserves taxpayers’ continued support,” she said.
Since the videos were released, U.S. Representative Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican, has proposed legislation to deny family planning federal funding to any healthcare provider that offers abortion.
Planned Parenthood said the videos were not accurate and had been edited in misleading ways, and that its staff acted appropriately in most cases, although it did fire one employee involved and said it would retrain staff on reporting risks to minors’ welfare and tighten disciplinary action.
“Every day, men, women and families come to Planned Parenthood health centers to receive vital health care — including lifesaving cancer screenings and family planning — in a nonjudgmental environment,” Stuart Schear, Planned Parenthood’s vice president for communications said Monday.
“For 95 years, Planned Parenthood’s first priority has always been to stay focused on the women and families we serve, and our dedication is unwavering, no matter the political environment.”
Planned Parenthood also said online donations so far in the month of February are up 65 percent from last year, and that it has garnered 52,000 signatures of support in an online petition.
(Reporting by Wendell Marsh; Editing by Jerry Norton)
