MORRISTOWN Hundreds of demonstrations were held outside of Planned Parenthood clinics across the United States Aug. 22 with protesters calling on the federal government to stop funding the nation’s largest provider of abortions.
After videos were released last month showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing their fetal tissue donation program in graphic detail, the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League called for a national day of protest.
Eric Scheidler, the group’s executive director, said that “with 240 out of 342 cities reporting” more than 58,000 people turned out to protest. His organization teamed up with other pro-life groups including 40 Days for Life to organize the national protest.
In the Paterson Diocese, some 250 men, women and children gathered in front of Morristown Planned Parenthood Aug. 22 for the silent protest.
The crowd, made up mostly of Catholics, was joined by two clergymen, Father Jesus Peralta, parochial vicar at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Morristown, and Father James Platania, who is serving at St. Francis in Haskell for the summer before returning to Rome, where he is studying for his Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures.
“It was an absolutely amazing turnout as people were motivated to take a public stand after the horrific videos of what goes on in Planned Parenthood clinics were released,” said Stephen Perkowski, president of Morris County Right To Life and RTL coordinator at Resurrection Parish, Randolph.
“I was expecting 20 to 30 people, maybe 50 to 60 at most. But there were that many when I arrived at 8:40 a.m. and people just kept coming. Many had signs, but I worked quickly to distribute hundreds of signs to those in need. People were two rows deep on the sidewalk, spreading beyond Planned Parenthood on both sides, then eventually to the other side of Speedwell Avenue,” Perkowski said.
A father who was praying with his 13-year-old daughter said, “The sanctity of human life is espoused by a properly formed conscience to help us discern morality. There is an objective right and wrong, with difficult considerations on both sides, but a clear path to right has to come through. I have three children and when I look in their eyes, I appreciate those blessings, that’s formative.”
Lisa Hart, board member for Morris County Right to Life and RTL coordinator at St. Patrick Parish Chatham, “Many families of six and seven came, all ages young and old. Counter-protesters were expected but none were encountered.”
Colleen Dolan, Morris County Right to Life treasurer and RTL coordinator at St. Joseph Parish, Mendham, distributed rosaries to those in need. “The 8 a.m. Mass Saturday was full at St. Margaret’s,” reported Jennifer Murphy, Morris County Right to Life media coordinator, Legion of Mary member, and parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish, Franklin. “Many went to Mass to prepare for the protest,” she said. “Others fasted, and all prayed silently.”
Perkowski offered a final prayer at the end of the protest. “What I really needed for such a large crowd was a P.A. system,” he said. “I did a closing prayer as best as I could. Many did not hear it, but I prayed that the audience viewing videos of Planned Parenthood’s evil ways would continue to increase, that by the witness of all present, customers were steered away from Planned Parenthood today, and perhaps, the life of an unborn baby was saved. I thanked God for all who were here in Jesus name.”
He added that he had received a text from Susan O’Dougherty, Morris County Right to Life secretary, who was taking part in the protest in Mishawaka, Ind., with a group traveling from University of Notre Dame where her daughter is a student. “There are over 200 strong here,” she texted. “Praise God” was her response when she was told the Morristown numbers.
The protest was held in response to the videos released by the citizen journalist group Center for Medical Progress, in which Planned Parenthood officials discuss the collection and transfer of body parts from aborted fetuses, compensation and itemization of the parts, and possible alteration of abortion procedures to obtain more intact specimens.
In the most recent video, a former Stem Express technician described harvesting organs from “the most gestated fetus and closest thing to a baby that I’ve seen.”
The videos sparked calls for an investigation and for the removal of funding to Planned Parenthood from both congressional and state legislators. The organization receives more than $500 million a year from the federal government.
Planned Parenthood maintains that it has been acting within federal law, and that any donations of fetal organs of aborted babies are made with the mother’s consent and are not done for “valuable consideration.”
The fall 40 Days for Life campaign will run from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1. Participants are required to sign a statement of peace, and are asked to stand in peaceful presence in front of the Morristown Planned Parenthood every hour that they are open for 40 consecutive days. Those who cannot attend the protest are asked to fast and pray. “This is the single, most effective way to help young women who are contemplating abortion. They see our presence and learn they have options,” said Perkowski. Those who wish to attend can sign up through the 40 Days for Life website, or the Morris County Right to Life website.
[This story contains information from Catholic News Agency reports.]