Strength In Numbers

On 18 September 2008, a "Planned Parenthood: BAD for America" summit was held in Rosemont, Ill. It was organized by the Pro-Life Action League (PLAL), of Chicago. Meeting together, they shared different techniques that have been successful in their battles against PP. 1 of the main goals of the summit was to work on a joint plan to battle PP. Talking about the gathering at a pre-summit press conference Eric Scheidler, PLAL communications director, said: "Each pro-life group emphasizes different strategies for effectively reducing abortion, but we all share a common goal - to stop abortion forever." He went on to say: "Today more than ever, the pro-life movement must stand together to oppose Planned Parenthood." At the concusion of the summit a statement was issued that explained the reasons for opposing PP as well as specific measures that will be implimented.

(I am happy & proud to report that 1 of those in attendance & signed the statement was the executive director of DBQ Co Right to Life, Steven N. Brody.)

A JOINT STATEMENT BY NATIONAL PRO-LIFE LEADERS

Defeating Planned Parenthood:
A National Pro-Life Strategy

WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood operates the nation’s largest abortion chain, reporting 289,750 abortions in 2006, 24% of the national total; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood targets adolescents with a message that divests human sexuality of any moral character, encourages unsafe, irresponsible sexual behavior, and undermines the relationship between parents and their children; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood has a well-documented history of shielding child predators by failing to comply with mandatory reporting laws regarding child and statutory rape;
and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood, founded by eugenics advocate Margaret Sanger, continues to pursue racist business practices, by targeting abortions disproportionately to minority women; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood has embarked on a major nationwide expansion effort, building massive new abortion centers in major metropolitan areas, skirting local zoning regulations, and attempting to lure more affluent clients with a new “upscale” image; and
WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood is assisted in their anti-child, anti-family agenda by the infusion of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars annually—a third of their billion-dollar national budget;
THEREFORE, we, the undersigned pro-life leaders from across the nation, hereby pledge to coordinate our efforts in a bold, new, national campaign to defend American families from Planned Parenthood.
TOGETHER, we will put Planned Parenthood out of business by implementing proven strategies across the nation, to achieve the following goals:
• To mobilize massive grassroots opposition to all new and proposed Planned Parenthood construction projects: close scrutiny of permits and applications, community advocacy, legal action and multi-faceted demonstrations; and
• To eliminate Planned Parenthood’s government funding at the local, state and federal levels; and
• To drastically reduce corporate funding of Planned Parenthood; and
• To utilize all media, both traditional and alternative, to expose Planned Parenthood’s attack on women, children and families; and
• To deprive Planned Parenthood of business and save unborn babies from abortion by expanding the pro-life presence at Planned Parenthood facilities; and
• To safeguard the health and innocence of children by empowering parents and teachers to remove Planned Parenthood programs from their communities; and
• To hold public officials accountable for enforcing all applicable laws, such as parental involvement and mandatory reporting of statutory rape; and
• To call upon all people of faith and conscience to unite in prayer for an end to Planned Parenthood and its detrimental programs and policies.
SIGNED this 18th day of September, 2008:

Patricia Bainbridge
Life Decisions International

Bill Beckman
Illinois Right to Life

David Bereit
40 Days for Life

Thomas Brejcha, Esq.
Thomas More Society

Steven Brody
Dubuque County Right to Life, Inc.

Al Carlson
Citizens for Life,
Rapid City, SD

Shawn Carney
Coalition for Life

Dr. Brian Clowes
Human Life International

Day Gardner
National Black Pro-Life Union

Lorraine Gariboldi
Life Center of Long Island

Jennifer Giroux
Women Influencing the Nation

Kristan Hawkins
Students for Life of America

John Jansen
Generations for Life

Joe Langfeld
Human Life Alliance

Keith Mason
Personhood USA

Janet Morana
Priests for Life

Steve Peroutka
National Pro-Life Action Center

Ray Ruddy
Gerard Health Foundation

Lila Rose
Live Action

Eric Scheidler
Families Against Planned Parenthood

Joe Scheidler
Pro-Life Action League

Doug Scott
Life Decisions International

Jim Sedlak
American Life League

Mary Strom
The Women’s Centers

Jill Stanek
JillStanek.com

Kathleen Sullivan
Project Reality

Fr. Norman Weslin
Gabriel’s Corner

Erik Whittington
Rock for Life

Kyleen Wright
Texans for Life Coalition

IN ADDITION, the following pro-life leaders and organizations have signed on to this Joint Statement subsequent to the initial September 18 signing:

Lawson Lipford-Cruz
Black Students for Life

Troy Newman
Operation Rescue

Ruben Obregon
No Room for Contraception

Dr. Peggy Elliott
Dr. Peggy Elliott Ministries

Kim Lehman
Iowa Right to Life

Steve Mosher
Population Research Institute