Planned Parenthood Supporters Gather For 'Day Of Solidarity'
By Melissa Garcia
DENVER (CBS4)- Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters gathered for a day of solidarity. They remembered lives lost in the deadly Nov. 27 shootout at a Colorado Springs clinic.
Leaders of the organization said they will not be deterred by the violence, and will continue providing all services.
Planned Parenthood's remembrance at an Englewood church was one of nearly 50 rallies and vigils across the country Saturday.
Supporters joined in song, and took a moment of silence to remember the victims.
"(Planned Parenthood) provides safe and compassionate care to women across this country," said Christine Breen, a longtime Planned Parenthood patient.
Community leaders called for action.
"Let's work together to make sure that all patients can continue to have the wonderful care that those patients in Colorado Springs two Fridays ago were receiving," said Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat representing Colorado.
"To ensure that every person has the ability to make their own decision when it comes to pregnancy, parenting, and abortion, and to obtain the healthcare that we need without threats to our safety," added Cristina Aguilar of COLOR, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.
Garrett Swasey, a University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer, was shot after rushing to the campus to help. The other two victims — Ke'Arre Stewart, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, and Jennifer Markovsky, 36, a mother of two originally from Hawaii — were both accompanying friends to the clinic and it's not clear where they were when they were killed.
During the remembrance, pro-life activists gathered and prayed outside of a local Planned Parenthood.
"Abortion is not healthcare," said Aaron Hollst, a practicing Christian. "When it's called healthcare, I think that's insulting to people who are pro-life and to people who are not pro-life. You're ending a life. It's as simple as that."
In the wake of the Colorado Springs attack, security at the remembrance was tight. Increased police presence scared some next door vendors away.
"It's kind of freaking some of the customers out, some of the crafters out," said craft show vendor Tracy Kreiling. "They were worried about safety."
Despite threats and intimidation, officials say Planned Parenthood will remain dedicated to providing access to care.
"We've seen thousands of patients since last Friday, and will see millions this year," said Cecile Richards, of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "As we say at Planned Parenthood, these doors stay open."
"We will not be intimidated, and we will not accept this as normal," said Vicki Cowart of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, of the attack.
Planned Parenthood officials say clinics nationwide are redoubling their security efforts.
Police say they're adding patrols to guard against the possibility of violence.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
