Planned Parenthood demonstration draws hundreds in support and in protest
Though the heated conversations were kept at a minimum, the signs told another story as Planned Parenthood protestors faced off with the organization”s supporters in Pullman Saturday morning.
“Babies betrayed,” read one sign held by a pro-life supporter. “Killing your baby is bad parenthood,” read another. Pro-life demonstrators protested Planned Parenthood”s abortion services and called for the defunding of the organization.
Across the street, pro-Planned Parenthood demonstrators lined up with bright pink signs showing their support for the organization, which offers birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and cancer screenings, among other services.
“Stand with Planned Parenthood,” read one sign. “Don”t take away our care,” read another.
Ryan Tarinelli | Argonaut
Groups of planned Parenthood Supporters and protesters gathered in Pullman Saturday.
With hundreds of demonstrators on hand, the sidewalks were filled with people at the intersection of Bishop Boulevard and Highway 270 in Pullman. Demonstrators peacefully protested for about two hours on either side of the sidewalk, with cars honking to show their support.
The protest comes days before the opening of Planned Parenthood”s temporary Pullman Health Center. Last month, an early morning fire damaged Planned Parenthood”s permanent location in Pullman, which Pullman Police are investigating as arson.
The organization has received national criticism recently over multiple undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood”s involvement in fetal tissue donation.
Ryan Tarinelli | Argonaut
Groups of planned Parenthood Supporters and protesters gathered in Pullman Saturday.
Moscow resident Anna Callihan came out Saturday to protest Planned Parenthood”s abortion services.
“(Babies) should have rights, just like any of us should,” Callihan said, holding her 10-month-old son as she stood in a line of pro-life demonstrators. She said if Planned Parenthood supporters did more research on abortion they would change their mind on the topic.
“This is about the baby”s rights,” she said.
Across the street, Pullman resident Elijah Wender came out in support of the organization.
“Planned Parenthood saves lives in my community, and that”s why I”m out here,” Wender said.
Wender, who has volunteered at Planned Parenthood in the past, said the organization provides critical reproductive healthcare services to the Palouse through cancer screenings and birth control.
Like Wender, Lindsay Welfelt, a Washington State graduate student, said she came out in support because Planned Parenthood is much more than just its abortion services. She said the Planned Parenthood protesters seemed to be only focused on abortion, when the organization offers a wide array of reproductive healthcare services.
Growing up in rural Washington, Welfelt said Planned Parenthood was supportive of teenage girls and offered them a place to talk.
“Planned Parenthood was really there for so many teenage girls,” she said.
Although she doubted any demonstrators would change their mind on the topic, Welfelt said standing in support of Planned Parenthood was a sign to the cars passing by and the community that people care about the organization.
“I think it”s really a good thing to come out and support what they do,” Welfelt said of Planned Parenthood.
Pro-life demonstrators Deacon and Amy James brought their four children to the protest Saturday.
Amy James, a member of Christ Church in Moscow, said she was protesting Planned Parenthood”s abortion services and not reproductive healthcare in general.
“We are totally pro-women”s health,” Amy James said.
Even so, Amy said Planned Parenthood should be defunded, as there are many other healthcare providers that offer the similar reproductive health services.
Amy James said she strongly supports the push in Congress to defund the organization and has written to her representatives on the topic.
“We will be one-issue voters in this next election,” Amy said.
With so many protesters against Planned Parenthood, Amy said she thinks this generation is starting to rise up against abortion.
“We are training them to carry this on,” Amy said of having her four children at the protest.
Carrying a sign that read “Ignorance hurts women,” University of Idaho student Chelsea Butler showed up Saturday to support Planned Parenthood.
She said the organization has been a place of respect and support for her and other women.
“It was affordable and they cared about me,” Butler said.
Planned Parenthood will open Monday in its temporary location at 745 N. Grand Ave. in Pullman.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected] can be reached at @ryantarinelli