This is not new news: anti-abortion activists are batshit crazy. But at least one local group of pro-choice activists is willing to battle the batshit while armed with umbrellas and picket signs. The newly-formed Seattle Clinic Defense has made picketing limited-service pregnancy centers, which prey on vulnerable women, its main focus amidst all this women’s health care madness (see: pregnant women being arrested for fetus endangerment, fetuses testifying at legislative hearings, and proposed cuts to federal Planned Parenthood funding).

Liz Fawthorp, a member of Seattle Clinic Defense, says the group’s goal is to brainstorm more aggressive ways of combating threats to reproductive health care—a la the batshit crazy (yet arguably effective) Christian right.

“I didn’t feel like there was another way to move forward,” she says. “We can’t wait anymore.”

They’ve scheduled their first protest for this weekend at the LifeChoices Pregnancy Center in the University District. There’s just one problem—that center no longer exists. When I pressed Fawthorp on this issue, she essentially said, “Whoops.” If you still want to go, here’s the link. Maybe after this embarrassing blip they’ll get their shit together.

But let’s focus on the positive, shall we? Fawthorp isn’t the only one who’s fighting for reproductive health care rights. After the jump you’ll find photographs and stories from women who attended the pro-Planned Parenthood rally in Cal Anderson Park on Saturday…

  • “It’s kind of assumed that [abortion] will always be a choice. But it’s not automatic. It’s not always going to be there.” Gabby Fraley, Mill Creek.
  • “I’m pretty outraged. I feel that our rights are being taken away.” Frankie Petitclerc, Whidbey Island.

The rally was big enough to attract a few anti-choicers, whose dead baby porn looked weirdly militant in an otherwise serene crowd of pink signs, and it was quickly—and civilly—covered up by strategically placed Planned Parenthood supporters. These women repurposed a sparkly pink scarf:

  • “We’re the Neighborhood Temple Priestesses. There’s a lot of not getting the message out, and a lot of apathy. We wanted to do something proactive. It’s frustrating you can’t do more. Women are scared. It’s a kind of paralysis.” Delilah Flynn (left), Fremont.

Samantha Casey was also following around an anti-choice protester with this sign, and described her experience with protesters as a clinic escort for Planned Parenthood:

  • “They’re old and you could probably outrun them…Access to abortion and birth control saves people’s lives. Everyone says that, but it’s true.” Samantha Casey, Gig Harbor.

The rally ended with its own direct action—the crowd was loosed on Capitol Hill with petitions and instructions to spend the afternoon gathering signatures in support of national funding for Planned Parenthood. Back at the park, the anti-choicers were left to stand in the mud, leaning their gory signs against the ground, not quite sure where to go or what to do next.

8 replies on “Planned Parenthood Supporters Plan to Picket Christian-Run Pregnancy Centers”

  1. Cedar River Clinics is running a “Pledge-a-Picket” drive that uses the anti-abortion picketers out in front of their clinics (in Renton and Yakima) to bring money in, which is clever.

    http://www.cedarriverclinics.org/

    I really think that Planned Parenthood should counter these fake clinics with matching billboards, located as close as possible to these Christian ones, saying “Afraid you might be pregnant? Stay away from “Your Options”; they will lie to you. Visit a real health clinic like Planned Parenthood. We’ll tell you the WHOLE story”.

  2. I think the GOP should link defunding PP to DNA-tested mandatory child care payments from fathers. You make a baby, your wages are garnished.

  3. Another idea, to ape the tactics of those who hate all life except the human fetus & the comatose– get some old trucks or vans, and attach large signs to them. Park these near the location of the propaganda clinics. Pay for all-day parking.

    The upfront investment may be a bit much, but certainly well within the means of any pro-choice group. It doesn’t require a lot of labor, it puts the message right where it needs to go, and it costs a lot less than a billboard.

  5. @3, put a big graphic of a coat hanger on the sides, with the words “this is your women’s health clinic if these religious nuts get their way”.

  6. Wonder if I could get away with running a suicide helpline that told kids they should probably just kill themselves? How about a legal defense fund for the disenfranchised… but only if they plead guilty? Those are essentially as helpful as these Christian-run pregnancy centers.

  7. Thank you for the continued coverage of this issue. One thing that i would like to point out, & which has been pointed out before, is the use of terminology such as anti-abortion & pro-life. i think that it is vital that we create our own terms & definitions. To allow other’s beliefs to define our language gives a power & validity to the very beliefs that we are refusing to give control to. i take offence at both of those terms. i am a mother, hence pro-life. i have also had an abortion; & i deeply respect the fact that i had that choice. i am pro-life & pro-choice. But those terms are defined by me, not the xtian right. i just feel that it’s really important to create & define our own language, as women, instead of allowing it to be created & defined by those who seek to control & subjugate our feminine rights & voices. Thanks..

  8. Hi Everyone,
    As a huge Planned Parenthood supporter myself, I’d like to just say how important community action is. At the same, it is really important to note that this clinic has closed. I want to go out and do something just as much as anyone else, but wouldn’t it be more useful to do something productive? For example, what if everyone protesting right now left the abandoned clinic and found a nice place in the sun to have a legislative call party? The budget is set to come out this upcoming week, now more than ever we need people calling their legislators, signing petition cards, and reminding the people who make decisions why this is important to us.

    Here is a link to find and then get in touch with your legislators at the state level. Please do it today.
    http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/De…

    Here are links to find and then get in touch with your congresspersons at the federal level. Please do that as well.
    http://www.house.gov/
    http://senate.gov/

    -Teodora Popescu

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