Whose choice Is It?

With the on-going debate over the Stupak Amendment, Pro-lifers and Pro-choicers are squaring off

Story and photos by Myasia C. Butler

The chanting can be heard from a block away. “Save the babies! Save the babies!” is aggresively announced as the protesters tote signs that read “Mommy, take my hand, not my life.”

The right for the choice of abortions has been a big controversy since the 1960s, but with the 40 Days for Life campaign and organizations such as Stamp Out Planned Parenthood (STOPP) and Champlain Valley Right to Life, the controversy has reappeared. The 40 Days for Life campaign consists of prolife supporters that lead candle light vigils, prayers, and community outreach in efforts to end abortion. The campaign was started by Abby Johnson, a former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas.

"“We have no problem with Planned Parenthood per say. We just don’t want them doing abortions. We just want them to save the babies."

The debate erupted with the introduction of the Stupak Amendment, which states that federal money should not be used to cover abortion or any health care coverage that includes the coverage of abortion.” The amendment has yet to be passed but pro-lifers and pro-choicers are facing off in debates.

In honor of 40 Days for Life, protestors are posted in front of Plattsburgh’s Planned Parenthood, trying to encourage patients not to use the clinic’s services.

“We have no problem with Planned Parenthood per say. We just don’t want them doing abortions. We just want them to save the babies,” says Oreal Fountain, one of the protestors. “The only thing that matters is the babies. It wouldn’t hurt if they closed down.” Fountain is one of the subtle protestors. He stands on the corner of South Catherine Street toting his sign, but not really making a ruckus.

 "Still the presence of the protestors is a negative, and it is intimidating."

Some protestors use different tactics to try to get clients away from Planned Parenthood’s doors. Some pray, while others go to extremes and sing very loudly or yell at the patients. In attempts to ensure the safety of clients, Planned Parenthood offers an alternative entrance, so clients won’t be bombarded by protestors.

“Some donors say I’ll give you a dollar for every protestor that’s out there during those 40 days. So those are all the ways we make a positive out of it. Still, the presence of the protestors is a negative, and it is intimidating,” says Martha Stahl, Director of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood. “We can’t control how patients react to the protestors, so that is another reason we have escorts out there. It can be a very intense situation,” says Stahl.

“It’s intimidating to walk through that. Not everyone comes here to get our service. Some people who come to do advertisements or business tell us, ‘Boy, was that intimidating,’” says Stahl.  “It’s a small community so that can be someone you are related to picketing, that can be someone you go to church with someone you work with so that adds another element to where it can be very intimidating to come here for patients.”

Planned Parenthood has put a twist on the Pro-lifer’s 40 Days for Life campaign with their Pledge-a-protestor, where supporters and donors will donate any amount of money based on the amount of protestors outside of the facility.

The closure of Planned Parenthoods across the country will bring about several different issues such as less access to reproductive health care, the rise of STI rates, and more abandoned children.

"New York State has 181,461 people infected with HIV/AIDS, making Planned Parenthood essential for the education of people and to prevent these types of diseases from spreading."

According to the Agency for International Development, New York State has 181,461 people infected with HIV/AIDS, making Planned Parenthood essential for the education of people and to prevent these types of diseases from spreading.

Although many Pro-life organizations would like to see Planned Parenthood closed down, there are some community members that are happy with the services it provides. “I don’t agree with abortions, but without Planned Parenthood, a lot of diseases could spread,” says Jamela Gibson, a senior at Plattsburgh State.“It’s good to have a place that you can get checked out, and it’s affordable. If they close it down, imagine how the rates of STIs would increase.”

“We provide a wide range of reproductive health care from birth control to STI testing to abortion services. Those are all things that women and men need to have access to, and they need to be affordable,” says Stahl, as she expresses why Planned Parenthood is essential to the community. “So I don’t think anyone would tolerate picketers standing outside their dentist office or their primary care physician when they go in to get medical care, so we feel the same way about our patients. They should not have to walk through a line of picketers for what is really essential health care.”

“The Stupak amendment and the pro-life organizations aren’t looking at the bigger picture. Women’s and Men’s reproductive health is very important,” says Maferefun Lavezzari a Planned Parenthood patient. “Many people have their own opinions about abortions, but one thing they can’t deny is how important STI checking is, especially with all the high rates of infections going on.”

Have you used Planned Parenthoods services?