Opinion

Anti-abortion forces still strong in Aurora

Posted October 03, 2010 11:00 pm

Saturday marked the third anniversary of Planned Parenthood opening the doors of its huge abortion facility on Aurora's east side. That opening day came under a cloud of protest and controversy so heated that it drew national media attention and earned Aurora the title of "ground zero" in the battle over abortion by pro-life and pro-choice leaders alike.

For eight weeks, pro-life community members held continuous vigil beside the building, praying it wouldn't open. Protests topped 1,000 participants, the biggest pro-life demonstrations in a decade. Citizens packed city hall to object not only to Planned Parenthood's abortion business the nation's largest but to the underhanded way that Planned Parenthood came into town, hiding behind the mask of a front company and lying to city officials.

Planned Parenthood chose this strategy of deception to avoid public outcry, but the scheme backfired. Their deception not only fueled public opposition to the facility even among pro-choice citizens but it helped inspire a dynamic grass-roots effort to close Planned Parenthood that continues to this day. Pro-lifers maintain an ongoing prayer presence with the support of local churches. Sidewalk counselors offer abortion alternatives, and a new pregnancy center down the block helps women choose life for their unborn babies. Monthly protests broadcast the message that Planned Parenthood is not welcome here.

On the legal front, a state court review of Planned Parenthood's dishonest development process is now underway, which may ultimately shutter the facility. And under a new settlement agreement, pro-life and city representatives have begun meeting quarterly to ensure protesters' rights are respected.

Planned Parenthood may have thought they won the day when they opened for business on Oct. 2, 2007. But the determined opposition galvanized that day will ultimately prevail in removing their "abortion fortress" from our community.

Eric Scheidler

Aurora

Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood

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