Beginning September 26, various local churches and self-described “pro-life” organizations began gathering at the local Planned Parenthood clinic on Hydraulic Road to pray and voice their objection to abortion as part of a national “40 Days for Life” campaign. They hope to maintain an active presence outside of the building 24 hours a day until November 4.
A stay-at-home mother, a retired man and UVA students were among those holding signs and waving to motorists from the sidewalk along Hydraulic Road one afternoon last week.
“We’re here to be a presence to let people know that, yes, abortions do take place here,” says Elyse Smith, vice president of UVA student group Hoos for Life. Smith says that the group is not protesting Planned Parenthood. “We’re asking God to end abortion in Charlottesville and across the nation.”
It’s all been pretty quiet on the Western (Hyrdaulic) front, where anti-choice demonstrators are in the midst of a protest designed to last 24 hours a day for 40 days in front of Planned Parenthood.
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Officials from Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge say they find the group’s message disconcerting, but for many at the office, it has been business as usual since the demonstration began.
“We’ve been carrying on with our work here, and they’re just standing out there on our sidewalk, not doing anything to address the issues they get so worked up about,” says Becky Reid, Planned Parenthood grassroots organizer. “If they wanted to take on a constructive path to a solution, they could join us. But, they don’t.”
Planned Parenthood actually uses protests as a fundraising tool called Pledge-a-Picketer, with donors pledging to contribute a certain amount for each protester.
The relatively quiet demonstration outside of Planned Parenthood contrasts with a September 27 gathering outside of Charlottesville High School that took place the second day of the “40 Days for Life” campaign. According to reports received by Reid and from other community members, a group staked out on either side of the main entrance to the school, displaying graphic images of allegedly aborted fetuses. This group had no connection with the “40 Days for Life” campaign, says campaign coordinator Diane Gigantino Baltz, who says that her group does not use disturbing graphic images.
Both demonstrations are, by law, considered protected speech. Officials from the Albemarle County Police have informed the “40 Days for Life” group only that they must remain on the sidewalk and not block the way of any pedestrian or motorist wishing to pass.
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