Anti-abortion protesters begin week of planned demonstrations in New Orleans
on July 19, 2014
A week of planned anti-abortion protests in the New Orleans area began Saturday morning (July 19) with about 55 people affiliated with Operation Save America gathered at the Causeway Medical Clinic in Metairie.
Shortly after, 40 picketed a private home in Carrollton, some holding posters with graphic images of aborted fetuses. Organizer Rusty Thomas of Waco, Texas, said activists are still arriving and other demonstrations are planned for coming days.
The organization said it was encouraged by a new Louisiana law that opponents say will likely shut down three of the five clinics in the state that perform abortions. The law, which supporters say is aimed at improving patient safety, goes into effect Sept. 1.
Richard Fegan of Mandeville, outside the Metairie location, said, "We're trying to shut the place down because God gives life and God takes life ... this place is trying to be God."
Planned Parenthood said the protests are sparked by the organization's upcoming new facility on South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. No one was gathered at the construction site Saturday morning.
"Planned Parenthood's focus is the health and safety of women, men and families in Louisiana," said Melissa Flournoy, state director of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, in a statement. "These extremist organizations are trying to stop a new health center from serving this community, but in the end they're only helping us build more support."
Local police said they are on alert. NOPD has a "very robust" security plan, said 2nd District Commander Paul Noel, with vans and barricades at the ready as well as extra patrols - some on horseback -- plainclothes officers and officers wearing body cameras.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff spokesman Col. John Fortunato said his agency doesn't expect much activity but plans to "make certain we have a show of representation both in plainclothes and in uniform at the Metairie location" of Planned Parenthood.
Shortly after, 40 picketed a private home in Carrollton, some holding posters with graphic images of aborted fetuses. Organizer Rusty Thomas of Waco, Texas, said activists are still arriving and other demonstrations are planned for coming days.
The organization said it was encouraged by a new Louisiana law that opponents say will likely shut down three of the five clinics in the state that perform abortions. The law, which supporters say is aimed at improving patient safety, goes into effect Sept. 1.
Richard Fegan of Mandeville, outside the Metairie location, said, "We're trying to shut the place down because God gives life and God takes life ... this place is trying to be God."
Planned Parenthood said the protests are sparked by the organization's upcoming new facility on South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. No one was gathered at the construction site Saturday morning.
"Planned Parenthood's focus is the health and safety of women, men and families in Louisiana," said Melissa Flournoy, state director of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, in a statement. "These extremist organizations are trying to stop a new health center from serving this community, but in the end they're only helping us build more support."
Local police said they are on alert. NOPD has a "very robust" security plan, said 2nd District Commander Paul Noel, with vans and barricades at the ready as well as extra patrols - some on horseback -- plainclothes officers and officers wearing body cameras.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff spokesman Col. John Fortunato said his agency doesn't expect much activity but plans to "make certain we have a show of representation both in plainclothes and in uniform at the Metairie location" of Planned Parenthood.
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