CINCINNATI -- As one group rallied to defund Planned Parenthood outside the Mount Auburn clinic, another rallied to defend it.
Demonstrators in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood stood on one side of Auburn Avenue Saturday, and those opposed stood on the other side of the street. The two groups faced one another, holding signs and shouting chants.
The demonstration was in response to a national push to defund Planned Parenthood, and the rally was one of hundreds across the U.S. Saturday.
Dave Shaffer, director of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, rallied alongside dozens in support of defunding Planned Parenthood.
Dave Shaffer, director of Helpers of God's Precious Infants, said Planned Parenthood should be defunded because taxpayers should not have to fund abortions. A law passed in 1976 prohibits federal Medicaid funds from being used for abortion services except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of a woman is in danger. Photo by Paul Weeden | WCPO.
"We have been involved in ending the horror of abortion since 1973 when it began,” Shaffer said. “We are here to promote the defunding of Planned Parenthood.”
Cheyenne Ross said she stands with Planned Parenthood because the organization provides much more than just abortions for women.
Cheyenne Ross rallied in support of Planned Parenthood. Ross feels the organization is misunderstood. Photo by Paul Weeden, WCPO.
"I'm very concerned with the state of women's rights currently, and I wanted to show support and solidarity to those who need these services and for those who are trying to access those services today while having people on the other side of the road that may make them feel uncomfortable,” Ross said.
Ross said defunding Planned Parenthood would have severe consequences, particularly for women.
"It's horrific how misunderstood it is -- these kinds of clinics provide medical care,” Ross said.
But Shaffer said the issue isn’t exclusively about women’s rights.
"We’re here to fight for the rights of all women, all children and all taxpayers,” Shaffer said.
