Stop the Violence against Planned Parenthood

Yesterday, I received a donation request letter from Planned Parenthood. I didn’t open it until this morning and something I read in there made me so frustrated that I just had to write about it.

In the letter’s third “fact bullet” it says: “We recorded a 36% increase in violent incidents at Planned Parenthood health centers over the past year, including a firebombing.”

This saddens me.

I am not here to start a debate about abortion. (In fact, I am very torn on the subject.) Rather, I am here to make two points:

1. Planned Parenthood is not just about abortion
2. How can we preach peace when this type of violence happens in our own country?

Planned Parenthood is NOT Just about Abortion

If you go to the Planned Parenthood website, you will find that abortion is one in a list of twelve services for families of all shapes and sizes. They are:

• Abortion
• Birth Control
• Body Image
• Morning After Pill (Emergency Contraception)
• General Health Care
• Men’s Sexual Health
• Pregnancy
• Relationships
• Sex and Sexuality
• Sexual Orientation and Gender
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Women’s Health

This is about health, relationships, self-awareness, and living life to the fullest. Not something to go bombing.

How Can We Preach Peace?

The thing that saddens me the most about this situation is that we (in the US) are so keen to talk about peace. We want to bring peace to the rest of the world. It is a worthy goal and one we should pursue (ideally without killing people in the process). Global poverty cannot be solved without more peace in the world. However, it is so hypocritical to talk about peace when this type of insane violence is happening in our backyard.

I’m not asking you to become a member of Planned Parenthood.

I’m not asking you to call your congress person to ensure that women’s health and rights continue to be protected. (Although, if this is close to your heart, by all means do so!)

I’m simply asking you to lay aside your stance on abortion, take a stand against mindless violence toward people who are trying to help others, and pass it on.

Thank you.

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