There is a health clinic being built in Denver, Colorado. This clinic will provide a variety of services, including affordable contraception, annual exams, and prenatal care.
The clinic is being built by Planned Parenthood. Some people have problems with Planned Parenthood. Very serious problems.
Now, the clinic hasn't been finished yet, so there aren't any women to harass, intimidate, or terrorize at the clinic.
Ah, but there are people building the clinic...
Action alerts below:
You're thinking, anti-abortion groups are probably protesting at the building site, right? Well, that's not intimidating or evil enough. So this group, led by a guy named Will Duffy, actually found the contractors' home addresses (how did they find the addresses? Did they follow them home?) And they're protesting outside their homes--signs, chants, pictures--the whole nine yards. Four contractors have been terrorized into quitting. But, according to the report from the local Fox affiliate (important note: not Fox "News"), the head contractor says the job is on schedule.
This is the Report from Fox:
I don't know that anything can be done to stop the protests. I am not a lawyer, but it would seem they're technically legal if they're not on the property (and stalking laws are very difficult to prosecute), though the neighbors are angry . But I think further exposure of this type of extremism will galvanize people who are either on the fence about abortion or quietly pro-choice.
Remember these are the same type of people who killed Dr. David Gunn and Dr. Bernard Slepian.
I have a few suggestions:
- Donate to Planned Parenthood: Donate
In fact, right now, a "longtime supporter" is matching donations up to a total of $250,000 between now and Dec. 31st. So if you donate $50, you're actually donating $100.
- Call Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), who represents Denver.
Denver Office: (303) 844-4988
D.C. Office: (202) 225-4431
I suspect DeGette will be supportive.
(Note: they're probably a lot more likely to listen if you're from the 1st District; DeGette is unable to respond to emails from outside the first district.)
Email DeGette
- Call Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and ask him to speak out on this issue.
D.C. Phone: (202) 224-5852
D.C. Fax: (202) 228-5036
Denver Metro Region:
Toll Free: (866) 455-9866
Phone: (303) 455-7600
Fax: (303) 455-8851
Email Salazar
Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) is almost certainly a lost cause, but you could call to express your outrage.
Allard:
D.C. Phone: (202) 224-5941
D.C. Fax: (202) 224-6471
Phone: (303) 220-7414
Fax: (303) 220-8126
- You could write a letter to the Denver Post:
Their email address is: openforum@denverpost.com
Snail mail:
The address of the Denver Post is
101 W. Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado, 80202.
There's also their newstips--I didn't see a story about it in the Post:
Newstips hotline: 303-954-1201
Or: tips@denverpost.com
- I found out about this through feministing, so you could always show them some love:
Donate to Feministing
That's all I could think of. If anyone has any other suggestions for exposing and combatting the latest anti-choice, anti-woman madness, add it in the comments.
This is a grim diary, I know, but extremism needs to be exposed and countered. Hoping your holidays are safe and happy.