It was an improbable lawsuit. In a battle
of the abortion titans, Family Planning Associates (Dr. Allred) in California sued Planned Parenthood for taking away a lucrative contract to do abortions for Kaiser HMO. FPA contended that since PP was a non-profit organization, it was illegal for it to obtain the contract.
STOPP had an observer at the trial to see what happened. The trial was in progress when, on Friday, June 16, attorneys and chief executive officers for FPA, PP of
San Diego and Riverside Counties, PP of Orange County and San Bernardino, and
PP of LA were called into Judge Robert
D. Monarch's chambers for a conference.
When the conference ended, FPA attorneys and CEOs were grim and stern-faced as
they began to pack up their volumes of
evidence. All PP parties exited the chambers with wide grins. In the courtroom, as attorneys began to pack up their evidence, there was much laughing, congratulatory comments, and back patting among the PP people. In the hallway outside the courtroom, PP witnesses who had either already testified or were waiting their turn exchanged hugs and congratulations.
Our observer asked FPA lead attorney Carl Blaine's assistant what had happened, and he was told that a settlement agreement had been signed so the trial was over. Blaine was overheard telling someone on the phone that the trial was over, "we gave everything to Planned Parenthood," and that his client did not wish to continue the trial due to the way Judge Monarch was handling the case. Again and again, Judge Monarch would interrupt FPA's attorney and cut off PP witnesses from elaborating on answers to FPA questions. It was obvious that he had already made up his mind to rule in favor of PP.
On Thursday, Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill that legalized the contracting of community clinics (non-profits like PP) with HMOs, dashing any hopes FPA had of obtaining an injunction against PP from doing abortions, which had been asked for on the first day of trial, and cutting their case off at the knees. Pro-lifers reported that this particular bill had gone through the California
legislature "like a greased pig." In short,
PP did an "end around" the judicial proceedings and encoded their position in California law even as the trial was in progress, leaving Judge Monarch little
legal choice but to rule in their favor.
What does this all mean? Our observer commented that, since the loss of the Kaiser HMO contract to Planned Parenthood, business at FPA has suffered while PP has prospered and opened more abortion facilities (they went from one to four abortion mills in 2 years). In San Diego, FPA went from four abortion days to two and now only performs first-trimester abortions, giving up their second trimester business totally to PP. There are serious doubts that FPA can continue to operate at its current level. Unprofitable
or marginally profitable clinics may have
to close. That alone is good news for
pro-lifers; however, looking at the "big
picture," we see PP growing stronger with the unbridled ability to continue pursuing other lucrative HMO contracts. With their non-profit status and influx of charitable contributions and government subsidies, they can out-bid almost any other competitor. It is suspected that the abortion business in California will dramatically change in the next 12 months with Planned Parenthood supplanting FPA as the "Goliath" of the abortion industry.
Thus, PP has seemingly used its political clout to once again ensure that it is the biggest killer of children in the country.
All over America, PP insists it is not about abortion, but about women's health. Yet, here is PP doing everything it can to drive another abortionist out of business just to make more money for itself.
PP relies on our money
The Planned Parenthood Association of Cameron and Willacy Counties (Texas) has its main office in Harlingen, with other clinics in San Benito and Raymondville. The first Brownsville office opened in 1966.
Blanca Cavazos, the agency's director of patient services, said funding comes from state and federal sources and the United Way of Southern Cameron County. About 60 percent of the agency's funding comes from Title XX of the Social Security Act, 15 percent from patient fees and the rest from private foundations, grants, fundraising and Medicaid.
Once again, it is taxpayer money being used to spread the anti-child views of PP.
PP in pre-school
STOPP has received word from a
supporter in Michigan that Planned Parenthood is getting into pre-school programs and making presentations.
According to the information we received, representatives from Planned Parenthood of Marquette, Michigan, did a presentation at a children's daycare facility. The person who wrote to us has a three-year-old daughter at the facility. The PP presentation consisted mostly of a video titled "Too Smart for Strangers," about the dangers of talking to strangers.
What the children need is a presentation on why they should never go anywhere near Planned Parenthood!
Our supporter found out about the presentation ahead of time, spoke to the daycare director and wrote us, "Needless to say, my child will NOT be attending this presentation, even if she is only three and the video doesn't deal with abortion or birth control. I am so horrified!"
STOPP supporters should be alert to this latest thrust and educate their daycare providers on the evils of PP.
New pill data
A study published in the July 4 edition
of the Journal of the American Medical Association said the type of low estrogen-dose oral contraceptives generally prescribed in the United States nearly doubled the risk of stroke. The risk
doubled yet again with higher estrogen doses. But it is no big deal!
This incredible summary of the study was broadcast in news media around the country. It was referring to a study done by researchers at the University of California. They reached the conclusion after analyzing 16 studies conducted between 1960 and 1999 to determine a link. They found the risk of an ischemic stroke increased from one victim to two victims per 24,000 when women took the pill.
Since the number of stroke victims who are women of reproductive age is so low, the conclusion was that doubling it was no big deal. We wonder how many women have to have strokes before researchers think it is significant.
PP targets Mongolia
Operatives from the Margaret Sanger Center International (MSCI-founded in 1923 as the international arm of PP of New York City) have been in the sparsely populated country of Mongolia spreading its sex education programs.
According to published reports, the
UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the MSCI decided to fund an adolescent
sex and reproductive education program in Mongolia.
PP has convinced the Mongolian government to implement a curriculum that starts in the third grade and runs through tenth grade. In the lower levels, issues such as gender roles are the focus while contraception and pregnancy are taught in the higher levels. There is a core curriculum and elective courses for some of the "riskier subjects such as masturbation." The core program includes lessons on sexual orientation.
PP hopes to have youth health clinics take on a more proactive effort in sex and reproductive health, so that "when
a kid comes in for a sore throat, they get information on reproductive health."
This is a perfect example of how PP infiltrates a country or a community. Sex ed, birth control and then . . . abortion.
New action needed in Wisconsin
STOPP received a letter from a supporter in Wisconsin that presents a new problem in the state, but also gives those who oppose PP a new
opportunity for action.
Dear STOPP:
My name is Brenda Hansen. I'm the executive director of the Pregnancy Information Center in Waupaca, Wisc. Yesterday, I had a
conversation with a member of the Knights of Columbus council at St. Mary Magdelene's Catholic Church here in Waupaca. We were discussing a recent development here in Waupaca County concerning our Department of Health and Human Services who recently contracted with Planned Parenthood to provide "family planning services" including so-called "emergency contraceptives" (a.k.a. the morning after pill) to residents of Waupaca County. Since there is no Planned Parenthood facility in our county, the DH&HS would also provide free transportation to the nearest PP office for anyone who can't come to the city of Waupaca to see their nurse practitioner,
who also provides the same services (although she is not with PP).
Needless to say, we were dismayed to hear of this contract and have been investigating the situation ever since. What we have found out is that the state of Wisconsin has been contracting with PP all along to provide "family planning" services; however, they used to do so directly through the state Department of Family Services. Last year, though, the state legislature decided to set up block grants for these types of services and funnel the money through individual county social service departments and let them decide where they would spend the money.
Because PP gave our county DH&HS a good deal, the county decided to maintain the contract the state use to have with PP. The bottom line to all of this is that it is quite likely that all counties in Wisconsin were faced with this same situation and we advise all concerned citizens to check into this and determine whether their county social services are also contracting with PP.
When we questioned the department about the contracts, they told us they felt it was legal because they weren't transporting clients to the actual PP abortion facility-only the non-abortion clinics-and therefore were not violating the funding requirement not to use any
of the monies for abortion. When asked about emergency contraceptives, they told us that "ECs" were not technically described as
abortifacients since they may not be causing an abortion if taken within 72 hours of intercourse.
Another question we asked was if minors would be transported to PP facilities without their parents' knowledge and, if so, what legal
liability would the department be under if an accident occurred. They said that yes, it was possible that minors might be taken to a PP facility without the parents' knowledge or consent since the client wouldn't be going for an abortion and that the question of liability
was one that the state was looking into but had no answers for.
Meanwhile, "family planning services" and free contraceptives have been added to the DH&HS's list of services provided, and the transportation system to PP is in place. As you can imagine, we find ourselves in a very frustrating situation since the Pregnancy Information Center used to send our clients to the DH&HS for free STD testing and other medical services. However, since they started handing out free contraceptives and ECs that we consider to be an abortifacient, we can no longer, in good conscience, continue to conduct business as usual. As a result, we are seriously considering converting our Center to a medical clinic in order to ensure that our clients will receive these types of free medical services only from qualified Christian, pro-life doctors.
At any rate, we appreciate any help you can give us in this since little lives are at stake. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Brenda J. Hansen, Executive Director
Waupaca Pregnancy Information Center
STOPP has already provided Brenda with information on how to fight this local funding and we will be ready to help them in any way we can.
All STOPP supporters in Wisconsin should know that they now have an opportunity to put an end to this type of funding of PP. We have created
a booklet, Defeating Government Funding of Planned Parenthood, that gives the specific steps for ending this money flow to PP. The booklet is available free on our Internet site or can be ordered from our resource department.
People in other states should monitor government funding and be ready to act!
Related organizations
In our June-July Special Report, we brought you a list of all PP affiliates in the United States. In compiling that list, we came across other organizations that support PP. Here are some of them:
- Leavens Foundation
P.O. Box 673
Long Valley, NJ 07853-0673
Mission: The Leavens Foundation, Inc., is a family foundation that grew out of an unincorporated foundation established in the 1950s. Most organizations we fund are located in Northern New Jersey and in Northern California
where the trustees live.
Programs: The Leavens Foundation has been a strong and consistent supporter of Planned Parenthood. We have also supported youth education programs operated by different schools and
cultural organizations in Essex County, New Jersey. We also support historic preservation and environmental groups in Northern New Jersey.
Board Members: Nancy Leavens, President; Bill Gibson, Vice President; Bill Leavens, Treasurer
- Clinic Management Expert, Inc.
425 Cherry St., S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mission: To improve automated health care information systems for Planned Parenthood affiliates and other qualified non-profit social, education, and health and welfare organizations.
Board Members: Christine Charbonneau; Diane Brady; Glinel Harrison, Incorporator; Gwen Chaplin; Jim Mullowney; Joan McCracken; Karrie Galloway.
- Endowment Fund for Family Planning in South Texas
309 Cape May
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Mission: Providing support for family planning.
Programs: The endowment fund for family planning in South
Texas was organized to provide
financial support for Planned Parenthood of South Texas.
Board Members: Joe Hornblower; Robin Carter; Susan Hutchinson.
- Family Planning Foundation of Champaign County
302 E. Stoughton
Champaign, IL 61820
Mission: Ownership/rental to exempt organization.
Programs: Encourage and support the activities of Planned Parenthood Of
East Central Illinois.
Board Members: Cameron Dobbins, Chair; Rebecca Motley, Secretary; Jean Paley; John Rich, President; Cecile Steinberg; Betty L. Schultz, Treasurer; Harriett Weatherford, Vice-Chair.
- George Gilman Trust
c/o Fleet Private Clients Group
P.O. Box 14777
E. Providence, RI 02914
Programs: Distribution of all income
to the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, Inc., New Haven, CT.
- Penny Pinchers of Youngstown
4949 Market St.
Youngstown, OH 44512-2124
Mission: Support Planned Parenthood.
Programs: Planned Parenthood Of Mahoning Valley provides reproductive health, screening and counseling
services to women, men and teens
at sites in Trumbull, Mahoning and Colombians counties. Penny Pinchers donates proceeds from the sale of used clothing and household items to PPMV to support these programs. The shop is operated with one fulltime manager and many volunteers.
Board Members: Betty Lou Miller, Secretary; Gretchen Dennison, Treasurer; Martha McConnell, President; Pamela Sulka, Manager.
- American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc.
106 Greens
Shipyard Plantation
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Mission: Education, and financial
and material assistance to persons adversely affected by natural
calamities and the homeless and
other underprivileged persons.
Programs: Gave Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
10019) $136,779.00 to implement
the reproductive health component
of the Leonard Benjamin program.
Board Members: Gregg P. Marshall, Chairman/President; Carlos R. Alindada, Treasurer; Jacqueline R. Laurel, Secretary; Robert M. Sears; Elizabeth Lee Chuy; Neil J. Abraham.
- The Young Woman's Mission of Springfield, Ohio
923 West Main
Springfield, OH 45504
Programs: Proceeds of nearly new shop support Planned Parenthood.
Board Members: Ann Dunbar; Betty Waldron; Caroline Stickford; Connie Moorman; Gee Gee Gracy; Joan Snarr; Kathy Marinacci; Leona Puckett; Linda Everhart, Vice-President; Nancy Pyles; Nancy Rix, Treasurer; Norma Shuirr, Recording Secretary; Peggy Hockman; Sandra Wickline, Corresponding Secretary; Toni Conway, President.
PP's well-deserved image problem
A June 19 article in the Arlington Morning News (Texas) highlights Planned Parenthood's growing image problem with the general public. The article began, "Kimmie is a nurse practitioner who has worked at the same job for almost two years. She doesn't want her last name to appear in the newspaper because she is afraid of being ostracized, or even attacked. Kimmie works for Planned Parenthood . . . 'People say, "How could you be working for them?"' she said. 'It's like, don't tell certain family members. Don't tell the kids' teachers.'"
Later in the article, the reporter recounted how "One 21-year-old who visited the Waxahachie clinic talked recently about her conflicting feelings when she was seeking a low-cost checkup. 'My roommate suggested going to Planned Parenthood, and my initial reaction was, like, "No way,"' she said. 'To me, I've always thought of it as where young girls who are sleeping around go to have an abortion or take a pill after. I didn't even know they gave those [routine
medical] exams there.' The woman said she didn't want her name in the news-paper because 'I'm afraid if someone in church would see that, they would think, "What was she going there for?"'
Planned Parenthood is trying hard to
fight the truth about its operations. It gets friendly reporters to run stories about what a wonderful place PP is. Yet, we know the truth. And, we must keep telling it until the general public is well-informed on the true nature of PP and its programs.
PP fighting for RU-486
Planned Parenthood is working hard in Washington, D.C., to prevent pro-life forces from stemming the tide of baby killing drugs in the United States. PP
has for years advocated what it calls "medical abortions."
A medical abortion is the administering of a chemical to a woman for the
specific intent of killing her unborn baby. Drugs like methotrexate and
misoprostol have been used in recent years. PP is awaiting the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of
RU-486 (mifepristone). PPFA President Gloria Feldt has said she looks forward to the day when mifepristone is available at every PP office.
All these plans of PP would have been thwarted if Rep. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) had his way. Coburn introduced an amendment (H.Amdt. 142) to the Agriculture Appropriations bill (HR 1906) that would prohibit the FDA from testing, developing or approving any drug that causes abortion.
Planned Parenthood was extremely
upset about the possible passage of this amendment and coordinated a campaign to stop the Coburn Amendment. Unfortunately, PP succeeded and the Coburn Amendment was defeated. Once again, PP is doing everything possible to ensure that it can kill babies in as many ways as possible.
Supreme Court & bubble zones
In a decision known as Hill v. Colorado, the Supreme Court upheld a Colorado law establishing a 100-foot bubble zone around an abortion facility and requiring that any pro-lifer in that zone not get closer than eight feet to any person without getting that person's permission.
STOPP has received several calls
from picketers at Planned Parenthood asking what this means in terms of
on-going pickets. Let us summarize
the impact here:
- The court did NOT establish a national bubble zone. What the court did was to say that, if a state or municipality enacted a "reasonable" bubble zone law, it would allow it to stand.
- Most communities do NOT have
a bubble zone law and this court decision will have no immediate effect on picketing or counseling, other than in Colorado.
- You should check with your local police or pro-life attorney to determine all applicable laws in your community that relate to picketing or sidewalk counseling. Ask for copies of any ordinance they
claim exists.
- The Colorado law requires
counselors to ask permission
to talk with women going into abortion facilities. It has been
suggested that counselors be very specific in asking for permission. Instead of just saying, "May I talk with you?" you may want to ask, "May I tell you that you are about to kill your child and you may
suffer severe psychological
problems?" You get the idea.
What now?
The United States Supreme Court recently struck down a law intended to ban the partial birth abortion procedure. In light of that decision, many are
asking, "What do we do now?"
Before answering that question, it
is necessary to look at what the justices wrote in their various opinions on
this case.
Current case
Justice Stephen Breyer delivered the opinion of the Court and began his statement with the following words:
"We again consider the right to an
abortion. We understand the controversial nature of the problem. Millions of Americans believe that life begins at conception and consequently that an abortion is akin to causing the death
of an innocent child; they recoil at the thought of a law that would permit it. Other millions fear that a law that forbids abortion would condemn many American women to lives that lack
dignity, depriving them of equal liberty and leading those with least resources to undergo illegal abortions with the attendant risks of death and suffering. Taking account of these virtually irreconcilable points of view, aware that constitutional law must govern a society whose different members sincerely hold directly opposing views, and
considering the matter in light of
the Constitution's guarantees of fundamental individual liberty, this Court,
in the course of a generation, has determined and then redetermined that the Constitution offers basic protection
to the woman's right to choose."
Justice Ginsburg concurred with Breyer and wrote, "the central holding of
Roe v. Wade [the 1973 case that decriminalized abortion] has been endorsed by all but 4 of the 17 Justices who have addressed the issue. That holding-that the word 'liberty' in the Fourteenth Amendment includes a woman's right to make this difficult and extremely personal decision-makes
it impossible for me to understand how a state has any legitimate interest in requiring a doctor to follow any procedure other than the one that he or she reasonably believes will best protect
the woman in her exercise of this
constitutional liberty."
Justice Scalia dissented from the court's opinion and wrote further, "I cannot understand why those who acknowledge that, in the opening words of Justice O'Connor's concurrence, 'the issue of abortion is one of the most contentious and controversial in contemporary American society,' persist in the belief that this Court, armed with neither constitutional text nor accepted tradition, can resolve that contention and controversy rather than be consumed by it. If only for the sake of its own preservation, the Court should return this matter to the people-where the Constitution, by its silence on the subject, left it-and let them decide, state by state, whether this practice should be allowed."
Casey and Roe
In discussing this case, all of the
justices referred to a previous
Supreme Court case known as Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey in which the court upheld Roe v. Wade. In that decision, the court wrote "Overruling Roe's central holding would not only reach an unjustifiable result under stare decisis [Latin for "to stand by a decision"] principles, but would seriously weaken the Court's capacity to exercise the judicial power and to function as the Supreme Court of a nation dedicated to the rule of law."
In addition, the justices wrote in
the Casey decision, "the Court acknowledges that Roe's limitation
on state power could not be removed without serious inequity to those who have relied upon it or significant damage to the stability of the society governed by the rule in question. In
the 19 years since Roe was decided, that case has shaped more than reproductive planning-an entire generation has come of age free to assume Roe's concept of liberty in defining
the capacity of women to act in society and to make reproductive decisions. The Court understands that, having 'call[ed] the contending sides . . .
to end their national division by
accepting a common mandate rooted
in the Constitution,' a decision to
overrule Roe would seriously weaken the Court's capacity to exercise the judicial power and to function as the Supreme Court of a nation dedicated
to the rule of law. What has happened today should serve as a model for future Justices and a warning to all
who have tried to turn this Court into yet another political branch."
So, what does all this mean to the
average pro-lifer?
Supreme Court message
Well, we believe that the message of the Supreme Court is clear and two-fold.
First, it is still the majority opinion of the Supreme Court that great social unrest and upheaval and maybe even anarchy would result if the court were ever to overturn Roe v. Wade. The justices themselves write of that fear and express the opinion that overturning Roe would cause the society to ignore all the rulings of the Supreme Court. The Court is dedicated to standing by previous rulings-and the passage of years has only made their position more adamant.
Second, even those justices who argue for overturning Roe, or push for there to be limitations on the "right" to
abortion, only advocate that this is
a decision that should be made on a state-by-state business. There does not seem to be much, if any, feeling among the four justices who dissented in the current case that the baby in the womb is a human being that should be
protected by the laws of the land.
What is needed?
So how are we ever going to protect those babies in the womb? How can we change our society so that each human life is valued and held sacred?
It is clear, or should be, that our faith should not be put in the Supreme Court. Justice Scalia described Court decisions as "a democratic vote by nine lawyers." Even as the make-up of the Court changes, as it has through the years, new members seem more interested in protecting the integrity of the Court than in rendering decisions based on the United States Constitution.
Nor does it appear that we can put our faith in any single individual running for president or other high office. Whatever that person's personal feelings, what he or she can do will be
limited by the Court.
Our goal then is clear. If we are to bring protection to all human life, including babies in the womb, we must change the Constitution of the United States so that it clearly recognizes babies in the womb as persons entitled to protection under the law. Some will argue that this protection is already implicit in the wording of the Constitution, but obviously the courts do not agree.
How is the Constitution changed?
The rules on changing the Constitution are spelled out in Article V of the Constitution itself. It says, "The Congress, whenever two-thirds of
both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application
of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress."
Thus, if we are to change the Constitution, we must put forward
an amendment, get it approved by two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate, and then have it approved by three-fourths of the states. To reduce this to current numbers, we need the approval of 67 senators, 290 congress-men, and 34 states. You will note that the signature of the president is not necessary. No president ever has the opportunity to veto a proposed amendment. Other than lobbying for or against the amendment, the president has no power over its fate.
So how do we get this started?
First, we must all agree on the wording of the proposed amendment. In doing this, it is best to remember KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). In the early days of the pro-life movement, there was agreement on what was called a Paramount Human Life Amendment (PHLA). The amendment stated simply:
The paramount right to life is vested in each human being from the moment of fertilization.
That statement, with a further line in
the amendment defining fertilization as the joining of the sperm and ovum, is all that is necessary to end abortion in this country!
Understanding that the passage of such an amendment will only occur if we elect pro-life people to both the United States Senate and House and to state legislatures all across America, we must begin to ask our candidates if they will support this amendment. If they will, we should work for them and do everything within our power to get them elected. If they will not, we should find other candidates who will support it-regardless of party affiliation or their "chance of winning"-and support those candidates.
This is an election year. Now is the time to begin the trek towards victory.
Prayer for a Human Life Amendment
The following prayer appeared in the September/October 1992 issue of Celebrate Life magazine. It is reprinted here because, if we are to be successful in our efforts to secure legal protection for all human life, we must first seek God's assistance. It is only through Him that this battle will be won.
Prayer for a Human Life Amendment
Father, we praise you for all creation.
We thank you for life,
Especially human life, created directly by you
After Your own image and likeness.
Thank you for your Son, Jesus,
Who so dignified each human by becoming
One of us,
And for whom every human life is so precious
That He lived, died and rose from death,
For every person, born and preborn.
Strengthen us, Father, by your Spirit,
In our resolve to restore full respect
For the preborn children.
Give success to our efforts
To educate about the dignity of these babies
And to legislate to protect them.
Bless also our opponents as you have blessed us,
With enlightenment, to know the sanctity of
Each human child.
Change their minds and hearts with the truth.
Use us as your co-workers,
Making the smallest activity fruitful,
For, with you we can do all things,
And apart from you we can do nothing.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Compliments of Streator Council and Illinois State Council, Knights of Columbus
Coming next month
When the Supreme Court decisions came down at the end of June, we felt that it was extremely important to bring you the information and our view of an appropriate response in a timely manner. As a result, we took several stories we had planned for this issue and put them off until the October issue.
Next month, we will be giving you information about Mr. Ed Szymkowiak of New York who has joined the staff of STOPP International. Ed is an experienced fighter against Planned Parenthood and is available for phone consultations and speaking.
In addition, STOPP has been actively spreading the message about Planned Parenthood in radio and TV interviews and in personal appearances across the country. Next month we'll tell you of some of our experiences with wonderful, dedicated supporters who are exposing PP in their own communities and realizing much success.
This month's action items
- Get involved in the political races this year. Find out how the candidates stand and work for those you can support. This is necessary not only to pass the PHLA, but to undo PP's influence in states such as California.
- Find out if PP is in any of your local pre-school programs. Educate the directors of these programs on PP, and tell them it is dangerous to allow PP near children.
- Become involved in stopping local government funding of PP. As more and more programs move to block grants, your ability to control who gets the money will increase. Use the resources available from STOPP to end these funding programs.
- Continue to do weekly pickets of your local Planned Parenthood offices. The positive effects of this pro-life presence are far beyond anything you might imagine. A prayerful, peaceful presence will serve as a witness to your entire community
- Work to get all the pro-life groups in your area to rally around the PHLA. Plan now to attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., as a demonstration of your support for the constitutional amendment.
- Invite Ed Szymkowiak or Jim Sedlak to speak at events
in your community. To schedule a talk, call Rozann
(540-659-4171).
- Send a tax-deductible donation today to help us keep fighting Planned Parenthood.
- Pray that God will lead us in our work and that we will always have the courage to do His will.
