Planned Parenthood Los Angeles staff reported protesters to management more than 600 times at their 24 health center locations since last June. That’s when the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal right to an abortion.
Planned Parenthood L.A. CEO Sue Dunlap says since then, protests are getting bigger and more frequent.
“Here’s what that looks like. You’ve got kind of a small building being circled by people four, five, six deep all in matching T-shirts. Now that’s incredibly intimidating for anyone seeking care,” she said.
Some protesters are peaceful, Dunlap said, while others hurl insults at patients and whoever is with them.
“Sometimes [patients] are there with a supportive partner and he may feel very protective. We see protesters calling out and verbally attacking or challenging or menacing the patient that partner is there to support. We’ve seen more than once partners get so, so upset,” she said.
The health centers offer a variety of reproductive health services, including routine care. Dunlap says the organization spent well over $1 million in the last year on security at their health centers, including hiring more guards.
“We’ve seen those folks [protesters] sometimes step in and try to physically connect with our patients. Our guards at that point try to support the patients in getting to their health centers … None of our patients have been attacked in any way whatsoever, unless you consider what I’m describing to be menacing,” Dunlap said.
Planned Parenthood L.A. CEO Sue…
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