Groups Face Off Over Abortion in Norwich by Emily Groves, NorwichBulletin.com, Saturday, October 10, 2009.
At times Saturday, only the width of Case Street separated Priscilla Lounds of Montville and Paul Schmitz of Stonington.
But ideologically, on the issue of abortion, the two could not be further apart.
“There’s a wide chasm of opinion here,” Schmitz said.
Holding a neon sign that read, “Honk 4 Choice,” Lounds stood on the corner of Case and West Town streets along with 24 others as part of a Planned Parenthood of Southern New England rally in support of abortion rights.
Schmitz stood on the opposite side of the corner from Lounds, with 40 anti-abortion supporters, as part of 40 Days of Life, a national demonstration where residents pray outside of Planned Parenthood offices. The group has been demonstrating there since Sept. 23 and will continue until Nov. 1.
Friendly Spirit
Saturday’s event remained peaceful, as interaction between the two groups was limited to cordial greetings.
Gretchen Raffa, community organizer for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said the organization holds a yearly rally in response to the anti-abortion demonstration outside its Case Street offices.
“We are standing up for women’s health care,” Raffa said. “Their well-being, safety and privacy are being threatened.”
Nicole Peck of Colchester described the anti-abortion demonstration, held in 212 cities across the country, as a “peaceful prayer vigil.” Residents stay outside the offices 24 hours a day with anti-abortion signs and rosary beads, praying for an end to the practice.
“We’re not protesting anything, we’re standing for life and for the unborn who can’t speak,” Peck said.
Peck said local parishes organize days to come and keep vigil. But more people come out on the day of Planned Parenthood’s response, she said.
Though the event drew people from Hartford and Rhode Island, residents said they came to support the Planned Parenthood event to make sure the message supporting abortion rights is heard.
“Every week I drive by and it’s kind of disgusting to see all these anti-choice people,” Jack Riter of Norwich said. “Somebody has to represent the other side.”