Planned Parenthood’s one-stop abortion “super center” is located in a Houston neighborhood heavily populated by Hispanics and blacks. The nation’s largest abortion provider has been accused of targeting minorities for abortions. Black abortion rates are five times that of whites and rates for Hispanics are three times higher than whites.
Thousands Protest Planned Parenthood’s New Houston Facility
It stands six stories with nearly 80,000 square feet. A former bank on the Gulf Freeway in southeast Houston will soon become Planned Parenthood’s regional headquarters complete with a surgical wing for abortions.
“When you actually see what takes place there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that it is murder,” said Betty Wood-Rivera.
She came all the way from Colorado to pray in front of the new building.
“We say it’s women’s rights, what about all the female babies dying, where are their rights,” she said.
Lou Engle, a Kansas City minister, will lead thousands in a silent protest march to the new facility Monday morning. He preached to other pro-life supporters at the Grace Community Church Sunday night.
“We want Houston to be known not for the largest abortion clinic but for having the largest heart, caring for every baby, that’s our dream,” said Engle.
In a press release, the group labeled the new Houston clinic as the “largest-ever abortion facility in the U.S.”
Located in a largely black and Hispanic part of town and close to two universities, Engle says minority mothers are being targeted. Planned Parenthood denies that claim.
“We’re coming to pray that God would subpoena the conscience of the nation and raise up the black and Hispanic voice and say abortion is not good for us,” said Engle.
Planned Parenthood says just 5 to 7 percent of its business is abortions. FOX 26 spoke to CEO Peter Durkin last month.
“We’ve offered abortion services since 1973 right after the Roe versus Wade decision, but it constitutes a very small percentage of the overall services we provide,” said Durkin.
But it’s just that one service these protesters want to stop.
In defense of the pro-life claim, Planned Parenthood posted a statement on their website claiming the clinic “will not” be the largest abortion facility in the U.S.
“Our new building is going to be the largest Planned Parenthood administrative and health care facility in the nation,” said the statement. “It will house our administrative headquarters, our large flagship family planning health center, a surgical suite, a call center and will also have an education and clinical research center.”
Planned Parenthood’s website says the new clinic, scheduled to open in the spring, has 78,000 square feet and includes 15 exam rooms and 19 patient service rooms.
Another group of Houstonians will also meet at the facility on Monday morning. In a written statement, they say the facility is “being targeted by anti-choice groups using race to inflame local residents to support an anti-woman message, is standing in support of Planned Parenthood.”
The protest began at the Catholic Charismatic Center at 9:30 a.m. Monday with thousands arriving. The protesters will march to the still unopened Planned Parenthood clinic in the afternoon.
