February 11, 2017

Pro-lifers call on Congress to defund nation’s largest abortion provider

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Outside the Planned Parenthood facility on Main Street in Springfield, and all across the nation, pro-life groups peacefully demonstrated, calling on Congress to strip the abortion provider of federal funding, Saturday, Feb. 11. The national event was organized by #ProtestPP.

“The reason for being out here today is the defunding issue that’s before the U.S. Congress regarding Planned Parenthood. We don’t feel that all taxpayers should have to pay for other people’s abortions,” said Tim Biggins, the chairman of the Pro-Life Commission for the Diocese of Springfield. The local demonstration was organized by the Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life and the 40 Days for Life Campaign.

In 2015, House Republicans voted to defund Planned Parenthood after the scandal involving undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress. The videos allegedly showed some doctors affiliated with Planned Parenthood casually discussing harvesting body parts of unborn babies during abortions and related fees. Planned Parenthood denied wrongdoing.  That legislation did not pass the Senate. However, House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, has recently vowed Republicans will defund Planned Parenthood.

#ProtestPP and other pro-life groups have made the case that the more than $500 million dollars in federal funding which Planned Parenthood receives should be given instead to the thousands of federally qualified health clinics (FQHCs) nationwide. The medical clinics do not provide abortion services, but do offer healthcare services for women.

“First off, Planned Parenthood is the largest of all abortion providers, providing about one third or more — 320,000 last year — abortions in the United States,” Biggins continued.

Similar rallies were held in Boston and Worcester. Pam Hibbard, the director of Bethlehem House, which helps women facing an unplanned pregnancy choose life, also stood out in the frigid temperatures. Her Easthampton-based nonprofit provides counseling, referrals, baby clothes and diapers for women in crisis. Hibbard said many of those she serves come from the local colleges.

“I am out here to let all the college kids know that they don’t have to kill their babies. They can love them instead,” said Hibbard.

“They basically think they have to kill their babies because they don’t think they are worth anything if they don’t have a fantastic education,” said Hibbard, who added that the women who do choose life, are able to continue their education, and go on to pursue a career.

“Their worth is eternal life with God in the end, and their baby has the right to be born,” said Hibbard.

A small group of pro-abortion protesters gathered nearby, chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, anti-choicers have to go.” However, both groups remained cordial.

Biggins said the pro-life movement remains committed to touching hearts.

“God works in mysterious ways. There are people who are among us today on this side of the sidewalk, who used to be on the other side,” explained Biggins describing members of his pro-life group who used to support abortion rights.

“God is after us and wants to reach all of us no matter where we are,” he said. “So we pray for them and we spend time praying here and devote that prayer to their conversion, so they can see and understand and know what we know.”

For a video version of this story, tune into an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television news magazine that airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22 NEWS.