Rally shows support for Planned Parenthood

Saturday, February 11, 2017

PLATTSBURGH — A large group of people showed up Saturday to show their support for Planned Parenthood during a defunding rally in Plattsburgh.

The Defund Planned Parenthood Rally was organized for that day in front of Planned Parenthood, North Country New York at 66 Brinkerhoff St. Billed as a "peaceful and prayerful protest," it was part of a national anti-abortion effort.

Pro-choice advocates nationwide planned a counter rally, called United We Stand With Planned Parenthood. The local effort was described as "a show of support in reaction to nationwide protest targeting this location."

NUMBERS

About 20 people showed up to press for defunding of Planned Parenthood.

They were met by more than 165 people showing support for the agency, some from as far away as Keene Valley and Saranac Lake.

"Based on the number of supporters and the distances that some traveled, this was a major North Country event in support of Planned Parenthood," said Robin Brown of Plattsburgh, who attended the rally.

But Nancy Belzile of Willsboro, who organized the defunding rally, said it wasn't about who had more people.

"We don't look at our numbers," the anti-abortion activist said. "We put all of our trust in God. This is a spiritual battle."

GROWING CONCERN

Debra Depo of Cadyville was one of the people there to show her support for the health services offered by Planned Parenthood.

"We were there because we are worried about defunding, which is coming up in bigger, bolder letters these days," she said.

Depo said that in smaller communities especially, some people may not have insurance or resources to cover screenings and treatment.

"It is important to keep these health services in place," she said. "Wealth shouldn't dictate who has services."

'WARRIORS'

Belzile said their main goal is to "see over $400 million in funding diverted from Planned Parenthood to federally qualified health centers that don't do abortions."

She said such clinics already exist in Willsboro, Champlain, Malone and other area communities.

Belzile said the "stalwart warriors" who showed up in Plattsburgh on Saturday were part of more than 200 national rallies that day.

"We won't give up," she said. "We are very hopeful.

"They are protesting things that may be taken away; it is all based on fear of known. We are protesting things already put in place."

PEACEFUL

Though opposing viewpoints were in close quarters, Depo said the atmosphere Saturday was cordial.

"Our organizer, Maddie McGrath, was very clear we were there to support Planned Parenthood, not to engage or antagonize.

"People walked up and down the sidewalk, pro-Planned Parenthood and people with opposite points of view, and I did not hear a negative word," Depo said.

Brown agreed. "The atmosphere of the gathering was very positive, considering the difficult time we are in now."

Belzile said that while there were no altercations, the people supporting Planned Parenthood were "very loud, chanting and screaming.

"We weren't loud. We weren't boisterous. We were pretty much praying to ourselves," she said.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Nina Matteau of Westport, who took part in the rally in support of Planned Parenthood, said the agency provides essential health screening services and reproductive services for women in the region.

"By law, no federal money is allowed to be used for abortions since the Hyde Amendment was enacted on Sept. 30, 1976. Therefore defunding Planned Parenthood essentially would only deprive women in financial need of health screening and birth control."

Matteau said that when she was in college, she used health services at Planned Parenthood.

"When I asked how much I owed, I was told that I owed nothing. They said I could repay them when I had a career and was making money," she said Monday.

"I am now a retired school teacher, and I am repaying them with my words, actions and donations."

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