It would seem that recent political developments -- from the election of abortion opponent Mike Pence as vice president to Trump's reinstatement of the "global gag rule" -- have invigorated anti-abortion activists. On February 11th, anti-abortion forces will demand that the government defund Planned Parenthood, again, via #ProtestPP events. This will be the third protest event under the #ProtestPP banner, following similar events in 2015 and 2016.
The primary sponsors of #ProtestPP include the Pro-Life Action League, Created Equal, and Citizens for a Pro-Life Society. The event's co-sponsors are a who's who of anti-choice Religious Right organizations, including Alliance Defending Freedom, the American Family Association, Operation Rescue, Priests for Life, and the Susan B. Anthony List, among dozens of others.
As of the time of this blog post, 88 rallies are scheduled in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The #ProtestPP website describes the day of activism as an effort against "the nation's largest abortion chain".
But now the new 115th Congress is moving to strip Planned Parenthood of that money! On February 11, pro-lifers like you will take to the streets to demand our government stops funding an organization that specializes in killing children.
Join us at the Planned Parenthood facility in your community as we protest and pray for an end to Planned Parenthood's massive government subsidy, and an end to abortion in our country."
The event website promotes discredited propaganda about Planned Parenthood, accusing the organization of "sheltering child predators" and conspiring "to increase their abortion profits through the illicit sale of aborted babies' body parts". For example, #ProtestPP cites the Center for Medical Progress (which accused Planned Parenthood of selling fetal tissue in 2015), even though a grand jury found no wrongdoing on the part of Planned Parenthood and indicted the Center for Medical Progress founder instead.
How can we find out what time these events are going to take place? I found one nearby me and I am working with a large group of women to provide a counter-demonstration, but we don't know what time we need to show up.
Elaine -- The #ProtestPP website lists several rallies and the times they will start. If the rallies in your area don't have a set time yet, check back at the website soon.