Defend Planned Parenthood

On Feb. 11, opposition groups across the country will rally to defund Planned Parenthood. As a clergy person from this area, it is my duty to speak out against about this campaign. People of faith should be active in defending Planned Parenthood through advocacy, donations and volunteer opportunities. The vast majority of responsible citizens do not want to see reproductive health attacked, nor do they want to see the government defund this vital link to women’s health. To be clear, such action would most harm communities of color, people in rural areas and those with low incomes.

The effect of this political move would have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable in our society and will devastate thousands of people. My own faith tradition compels me to speak out for those whose voice has been drowned out by the hateful rhetoric that is not only hurtful, but often untrue. The belief I follow speaks about caring for and loving those most in need. Defunding Planned Parenthood is the exact opposite of those beliefs. My faith encourages me to act out of love and to say with conviction, “I Will Defend Planned Parenthood.”

Pastor Jan Shannon

Cheney