Pro-Life Supporters Protest Planned Parenthood Gala

by Leticia Juarez

Friday, April 30, 2010

KIAH-TV Houston; 39online.com,

A large anti-abortion protest drew hundreds of supporters to a gala Friday evening. The group was not there to attend the function instead they were there to hold signs and pray for the people inside the Planned Parenthood celebration.

"We're here stand-up in solidarity because abortion is murder," said anti-abortionist, James Theisen.

Planned Parenthood held a gala to celebrate both its anniversary and the opening of its new 75,000 square-foot building near the Gulf Freeway. The 7-story building will be the main headquarters for 35 counties in Southeast Texas and Louisiana. It will also be a central call center, laboratory, and health clinic.

"We need room to grow, we need to be more efficient," said Peter J. Durkin, President and CEO for Planned Parenthood.

Anti-abortionists are calling the new facility the largest late-term abortion center in the Western Hemisphere.

"I love the city of Houston, and once this operation goes into effect Houston is going to be known throughout the world as place where anyone can come to kill a baby," said Pro-life supporter, Walter Hazel.

The new Planned Parenthood center will offer women abortions up to the 19th week of pregnancy. Last year, Houston area Planned Parenthood centers performed an estimated 7,000 abortions. The non-profit organization also provided 40,000 women with birth control and emergency contraception.

"We can agree to disagree on the issue of abortion, but we should all agree on the importance of sex education and access to health care," said Durkin.

Pro-life organizations are hoping to change minds through prayers vigils and marches it holds in front of Planned Parenthood events.

"We'd love to see abortion ended in our country. There is so much help available in every city in this country. It never has to be a woman's choice," said Christine Melchor, director of the Houston Coalition for Life.

Still, it has been a choice for women in the United States since 1973.

Planned Parenthood will open the doors to its new center on May 11th.