|
Dubuque County Right to Life: Statement at press conference 8/17/2009 Media Contacts: Steven N. Brody, Executive Director Colleen Pasnik, Executive Assistant 563-556-5960 or dcrtl@dcrtl.org Planned Parenthood in Dubuque: A Year Later It was almost a year ago that we gathered to explain why we were opposed to the pending opening of a Planned Parenthood in Dubuque. At that time, we mentioned three main reasons to show why Planned Parenthood was “Bad for Dubuque.” First, Planned Parenthood would introduce an abortion pipeline to our town. Second, Planned Parenthood separates parents from their children. And third, that Planned Parenthood fails to report potential cases of child rape or statutory rape as mandated by state law. Let’s review what has occurred over the past year and show that our concerns have proven to be true. Planned Parenthood has indeed introduced an abortion pipeline into Dubuque. Although CEO Joe Lock and Board member Ann Straley denied this for two months leading up to its opening, Planned Parenthood does in fact refer patients for abortions. Both Lock and Straley ultimately admitted to the abortion-referral service when asked by the local press. We have received documented evidence from our friends who picket in front of Planned Parenthood in Bettendorf that the number of cars with Dubuque County license plates has increased dramatically over the past year, and as recent as August 11th. The Bettendorf facility not only performs surgical abortions, but also dispenses RU-486, the “abortion pill.” This is not a coincidence. It is a direct link to this facility here in Dubuque. Planned Parenthood continues to separate parents from children nationwide by continuing to oppose every piece of parental notification or consent legislation in the country. According to Planned Parenthood, 2008 was a year of “noteworthy achievements”. They helped defeat legislation and ballot initiatives across the country, including 33 of 34 abortion ban bills introduced in state legislatures. They also boast about keeping anti-choice initiatives off the ballot in Georgia and Missouri. And as recently as this month, the Alaska branch of Planned Parenthood has filed a lawsuit to prevent organizers from getting the signatures for a state ballot initiative that would allow parental notification before abortion. This is not a family-friendly organization. Third, thanks to undercover investigations conducted by Students for Life of America, and Live Action Films, Planned Parenthood has been caught on tape ignoring mandatory reporting laws in North Carolina, Indiana, Arizona, Tennessee, and Alabama, prompting state investigations in every instance. They advise their clients to lie, misinform, or cloud the truth in order to obtain an abortion. What is the current situation at a more local level? In Iowa, Planned Parenthood locations in StormLake and Spencer have transitioned from an abortion referral-only location, to providing medical abortions through the drug RU-486. There is no reason to believe that the Dubuque facility will not follow suit. Planned Parenthood is training its technicians in Iowa on how to use vaginal ultrasound machines to determine the length of pregnancy in order to give out RU-486, because it cannot be given out more than 63 days into the pregnancy. Of course, the mother never gets to see the ultrasound image of her baby. In Des Moines, the Des Moines Register reported that Planned Parenthood celebrated their 75th Anniversary by giving their attendees a free T-shirt, condoms, and appetizers. The Dubuque facility has followed the same business plan that all others have. For six months, they offered free long-lasting birth control, regardless of income status, to build their clientele. They used money from Christie Vilsack’s Iowa Initiative to promote their agenda by dispensing products at a free or reduced cost. They attempted to intimidate our protestors by engaging in a “Pledge-A-Picket” program, aimed to raise money based on the number of protestors standing outside. Just like across the country, this attempt was an utter failure. In fact, Planned Parenthood spokesman Jennifer Vick refused to disclose how much money was raised when I contacted her by phone. Our strategy over the past year has been one of education, dedication, and inspiration. From the moment Planned Parenthood opened its doors on August 21st, men, women, and children have kept a constant vigil outside every hour of every day. Through rain, snow, wind, heat, and sub-zero temperatures, we stood firm and resilient. We endured name calling, objects being thrown at us, and even assault. But it has been outnumbered by the overwhelming support by passersby. Thumbs up, honking of horns, and deliveries of hot coffee in the winter are just a few examples. I am pleased to report that in this past year, over 200 individuals have participated in our peaceful, prayerful protest, logging in over 3,000 hours. Just recently, we held a picketer appreciation luncheon, which was attended by at least 120 of our faithful. In addition, members of Dubuque County Right to Life’s Speakers Bureau have given presentations throughout the tri-state area to let people know the truth about Planned Parenthood. Whether it was at a church, the Knights of Columbus, Optimist Club, or Rotary Club, we have accepted the invitation, and will continue to do so. Many people had some knowledge of Planned Parenthood, but most had no idea about the extent of their operations and history. Other events included a Mass for Life, attended by over 200. Another Mass for Life is scheduled for this Thursday at 6:30pm at St. Joes’s Key West. Also in January, an unprecedented number of churches participated in a Novena of Masses and Sanctity of Life Sunday services to show support for the unborn. We feel that we have made tremendous progress in educating the community about Planned Parenthood this first year. However, we still hear from people that they don’t understand the problem, because Planned Parenthood does not performs abortions here yet, and that they offer so many other necessary services. This means that more work has to be done. Therefore, I am announcing today that Dubuque County Right to Life, Inc. is transitioning from Phase I to Phase II of its information and education campaign. Several months ago, we asked members of our organization to donate specifically to fund an advertising campaign to expose the truth about Planned Parenthood. We were overwhelmed by the generosity, especially in this difficult economic time. We received both small and large donations, and due to the amount, decided to embark on an aggressive, specific, fact-based advertising campaign. Beginning today, a multi-media effort is being launched. Over the coming days, weeks, and months, citizens throughout DubuqueCounty will learn more on the truth about Planned Parenthood. Here are two examples of fact-based messaging that will be seen and heard throughout this area. In addition, today we are unveiling a new website that will be a one-stop shop for information and activism in the fight against Planned Parenthood. When people visit http://www.protestplannedparenthood.org, they will get the facts, learn about victories in other areas across the country, read letters to the editor, and be directed to how they can donate and volunteer to the cause. It will be a source for education, dedication, and inspiration. Planned Parenthood may want to claim that abortion is a small percentage of their services. But in our opinion, and the opinion of many, any percentage is too much. According to Planned Parenthood’s Annual Report, the number of abortions performed at their hands has increased from 289,750 in 2006-07, to 305,310 in 2007-08, and the amount of taxpayer dollars increased from $336.7 to $349.6 million dollars. Finally, their net assets increased from $952 million to over $1 billion dollars. These are the facts, and they cannot be disputed. Finally, Planned Parenthood actively engages in lobbying efforts to eliminate abstinence education and force comprehensive sex education to be taught in the public schools. While we view abstinence as real, doable, and 100% effective, Planned Parenthood views abstinence as a punch line. Just last week, board member Ann Straley wrote in the Telegraph Herald that “Planned Parenthood is here to stay and that our school system revise the sex education curriculum without further delay.” We beg to differ. A new report last week relying on data from the Centers for Disease Control finds the states that accepted abstinence education funding saw greater reductions in teen abortions compared to states that didn’t. This includes the States of Iowa and Wisconsin. Throwing more money at comprehensive sex education has resulted in more unintended pregnancies and more cases of sexually transmitted diseases. Yet Planned Parenthood sees this as the solution. This is clearly the next assault on our children that Planned Parenthood intends to engage in here in Dubuque, and we intend to protect our children from this predator. So why do we continue to do this? Because contrary to Planned Parenthood, we have not thrown up our hands and given up on our children. We believe that our children need to be protected from sexual predators in the community. We believe that families and the home are the places where sensitive discussions about sexuality should occur. But most importantly, we value life, as does a majority of Americans, based on recent polling conducted by major organizations such as Gallup, Harris, Rasmussen, Fox News, and Pew. We cherish and celebrate God’s creation. No child, created by God, should ever be sacrificed due to any alleged excuse of inconvenience. We will continue to be the voice for those who have no voice, and represent their right to life, just as we have done for the past 25 years. And now, I would be happy to answer any questions from the press who are here today. Thank you again for being here. |
