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As an uninsured, single, low-income woman, Planned Parenthood is a critical part of my life.  They are my health care provider, and without them I don't know what I would do.  They provide me with birth control that I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford, and have treated numerous UTI's and kidney infections that could have potentially been life threatening.

What these protesters don't understand is that PP does not encourage abortions.  Instead, they encourage means to prevent pregnancy, such as birth control pills and condoms, which regardless of what religious fanatics think, is vital.  People are going to have sex, whether you like it or not, and they need to have access to affordable birth control, otherwise there will be not only more women having abortions, but potentially more mouths to feed and more children in need of social services.  

While I agree that abortion should not be abused, women do need to have access to safe, legal abortions.  Why?  Because women will seek abortions regardless of their legality, and it is better to have them be safely performed by a doctor, rather than a self-abortion with a coat hanger.  This endangers the life of the woman as well.  Your religion tells you that abortion is wrong?  Fine, don't have one.  But don't keep the rest of us from having access to safe, legal abortions if necessary.   

Also, there is a PP right down the street from the one they are building, so I don't understand the argument that they are targeting the Black community. I think this statement is racist, because it implies that Black women are more likely to need an abortion, which is not true.   NE Planned Parenthood Clinic on 15th and Fremont serves not only the black community, but women of all races, ages, and socioeconomic status.  

To these protesters out front of the PP building, I say, find something more worthwhile to devote your time to, like feeding the homeless.

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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