Planned Parenthood of Southeast Pennsylvania has a big problem with fundamentalist anti-choice protestors who show up regularly at their clinic.
...our patients face verbal attacks from them. They see graphic signs meant to confuse and intimidate. They are sometimes blocked from entering the building and occasionally they are videotaped. They are offered anti-choice propaganda and free rides to the closest "crisis pregnancy
center."
So what is their solution? Sheer genius...
I loooove this! The clinic allows pro-choice sympathizers to "sponsor" the protestors, based on how many show up. So, the more fundie busybodies that show up, the more money goes to help the clinic.
Here's how it works: You decide on the amount you would like to pledge for each
protester (minimum 10 cents). When protesters show up on our sidewalks, Planned
Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania will count and record their number each day from October 1 through November 30, 2005. We will place a sign outside the health center that tracks pledges and makes protesters fully aware that their actions are benefiting PPSP. At the end of the two-month campaign, we will send you an update on protest activities and a pledge reminder.
Example:
If you pledge 30 cents per protester, and PPSP has 100 protesters in October and 160
protesters in November, your donation would be 78 dollars for the entire two-month campaign.
Similar to sponsoring a runner in a charity marathon, your pledge total can be capped at a pre-set amount, if desired.
Whoever thought of this deserves a medal. (Link has site for donations).