Protesters Gather at Tyler Planned Parenthood

TYLER — The ongoing controversy about Planned Parenthood included a Tyler rally this weekend. In a news release, the Pro-Life Action League says its goal is “to defund Planned Parenthood and to bring attention to pro-life in East Texas.” Hundreds of people demonstrated against Planned Parenthood in Tyler on Saturday as part of a national protest going on in cities around the country.

According to KETK, Hayley Davis, a protester, said her goals, “tear the veil from the peoples’ eyes… Because it’s not okay.” She, along with many other gatherers, is hoping to raise awareness about the negative aspects of abortion. The protesters are disturbed by videos that show the harvesting of fetal tissue. Connie Weesner, a protest organizer, says “it’s not just the fact that planned parenthood is profiting from the sale of baby parts. It’s what they’re doing to the babies, they’re tearing them apart.”

Still more are concerned about the practice of abortion itself. KETK reached out to Planned Parenthood of North Texas for comment on the protest, but never received a response. They did, however, hear from NARAL Pro-Choice of Texas. This organization says that the protesters are misguided: “Research shows using fetal tissue actually helps to diagnose conditions that effect babies and pregnancies.”

Heather Busby, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice of Texas, says she understands that viewing the procedures can be uncomfortable: “Medicine can be messy, surgery can be messy.” She’s encouraging people to be skeptical of what they call sensational videos. “These videos that came out were edited to manipulate the public.” However, East Texans aren’t buying it. Representative David Simpson spoke at the rally. He’s concerned that the organization cut corners: “It’s illegal to alter the abortion procedure to obtain human organs… That is illegal.”

In the meantime, protesters want women to remember that the Tyler community is eager to assist anyone with an unplanned pregnancy. Mark Lee Dickson, a director at Right to Life East Texas, says, “A sign’s not going to help… what’s going to help is kindness, love, and compassion.”

Police were called to the protest, but said the gathering could continue because of its peaceful tone. Protesters say they hope to rally again to send a clear message to lawmakers and pro-choice organizations.

For much of the summer, pro-lifers have voiced concern about undercover videos of Planned Parenthood personnel. According to the Pro-Life Action League news release, the videos “reveal that several Planned Parenthood abortion clinics…may be involved in the harvesting of body parts of unborn children…and profiting from their sale contrary to federal laws that prohibit such practices.” On its website, Planned Parenthood counters, in part, “Extremists who oppose Planned Parenthood’s mission and services are making outrageous and completely false claims. They are engaged in a fraud, and other claims they’ve made have been discredited and disproven.”