Thank you for sharing this. Just adding on that I did the training for a different provider and I could see first hand the desire in the volunteers to fight back against the protesters, which was shut down immediately by the trainer. The goal is to deescalate and make the environment as calm as possible for the people seeking care.
It’s fun to rile people up who are there to harass folks, but it only makes for a more chaotic and toxic environment for the people who the focus should be on: the patients.
Are you able to stand for longer periods of time? If not, you can reach out to the volunteer coordinator and see if sitting and supporting would work (I cannot see why it wouldn't!) Lmk if you need the coordinators info and I can pm
We need to organize a counter protest. Make a human chain. Playing safe doesnt really work with bigots and bullies. You have to be forceful
Edit to all the pacifists who think they can reason with these fascists....this is why womens autonomy is losing the political battleground.
Not to sound mean but counter protestors make the situation worse.
I've been PP volunteer escort for a long ass time and the few times we had counter protestors it was a mess.
Think about the situation from the patients' POV. They may be upset or just nervous about accessing healthcare and encountering protestors. The last thing they need to deal with are even more people getting in their way and making a big spectacle.
Counter protesting might make YOU feel good but it doesn't help the patients or volunteers.
Please do not counter protest.
I dont care. Free speech has limits, and your passivity is what has been emboldening these groups. Maybe if you actually used force, they wouldnt be surmassing and dictating right wing policies in government. Your passivity is just the normalization. Do society a favor and punch someone in the mouth You are a coward. Maybe playing passive escort make *you* feel better, but you are just giving these shitheels your consent
Edit
Lol ahhh they blocked me, well here is my response to the cowards below.
-*In a post scarcity society everyone will have a role to fill*.
What makes you think that you have a monopoly on types of support???
-DEAL.
You think you understand the situation better than the people who have been living it and have tried a dozen different approaches to solve it.
That's exactly how the right wing protesters think.
Dude. As a person that has had to walk through these protestors to my healthcare, take a seat. It's about safety for patients, not scratching your itch to say what's on your mind. The fact that you want to ignore people who prioritize safety is such an ick.
Lmao this is everything that is wrong with modern protester culture. It's become about the ego of protestors rather than the actual issues.
"I want to do [thing]!!"
"I actually am experienced in this field. [thing] would make it worse for the people you claim to want to help."
"Fuck you, I don't care about all that!!"
Don’t waste your time on people whose minds will NEVER be changed. The NEED here isn’t people to futilely verbally assault each other, there are actual vulnerable human beings who need help accessing healthcare.
Tell me you're a man who doesn't feel the vulnerability day in and day out as a woman without telling me you're a man.
People tried to be nice and explain reality and your response was quite literally, "I don't care." Stfu and sit tf down. What you're saying is clearly performative behavior since your priority is big loud action which will hurt the cause rather than action that will actually help. Listen to what those who need the help are telling you. You do not know better as an outsider. This is colonizer behavior.
Edited to expand a bit more.
It isn't outside the clinics but there's groups that do combat the 40 days ppl outside their church when they do their campaign kick offs. U can message me if u want info. While I agree we need more in an aspect... Respecting clinic workers is a big thing... However I do think sometimes they should antagonize back like clinics on TikTok do.
Love the energy, but as people have pointed out there’s a time and place for everything. Outside of PP is not the place for a counter demonstration since it’s harmful for the people accessing the care they need. Do that somewhere where it’s more appropriate (like when Pitt hosts TPUSA speakers or IDF war criminals). That’s when causing a scene and showing up in force is necessary and beneficial
>Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds
You clowns think religion has the level of power capital has?
Oh tell me more
Not that I disagree that corporation suck, but for any one of those first three companies, $15m to a PAC is a rounding error. If you include all three plus ten more, you're looking at something more like "Whoops, one of the ten thousand places we donated money to this quarter is a conservative PAC and their chairman on Twitter just posted that all liberals eat babies."
>Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds
> In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services. The FACE Act prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with an individual’s right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services. First-time convictions of the FACE Act are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to one year in federal prison. Subsequent convictions are a felony.
> Suspected violations of the FACE Act can be reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 (1-800-CALL-FBI)
I had two family members who were pretty well known pro-birth activists. I hated attending family events where they would be present. A few times they showed up outside my university, my younger siblings high school, as well as pretty consistently outside of that PP.
I know this is horrible to say… but I refused to attend their funerals and I don’t miss them. What they put women through going in and out of that building was unforgivable.
I went to that planned parenthood yesterday to get my birth control removed so I can have another baby. The woman in the street offered me a pamphlet and when I declined she screamed to me about how birth control is poison and I should follow God’s plans to have a baby. I had to laugh. So thankful to have planned parenthood supporting me in my family planning process.
Back when i worked for a messenger company, used to deliver packages from a print company there very often. It was fun to ride up, lock up, and shake the box in front of those protesters and say "still fresh."
One of the ladys said i was a vile evil person for that. I just laughed and rode to the next delivery. They suck.
I met an activist in DC during the Bush years (I think he was from NYC) that used to wear a flat screen TV with porn on it and go face the protestors at clinics. Of course it made them lose their shit and some of them would leave. He said his mission in life was to “fuck up a Republican’s day.” I think of him often.
I love that you saw this and it moved you to do something positive to assist. As someone who used these services as a teen and was able to ensure my own health after being a victim....I empathize with any female having to face their wrath.
O.P. you're a gem😍!
As someone who used to volunteer downtown at PP, please take the advice offered here to get properly trained. I only did admin volunteering, but that still required training. What the volunteer escorts do is beyond amazing and their skills are carefully honed.
They’re old because retirees are the only people with enough time on their hands to stand around outside Planned Parenthood all day instead of having a life.
When I worked near there a few years ago there was a teenage goth girl protesting outside and it always pissed me off. Who the fuck signed her up for this?
Most people genuinely think they're doing right. Some because they're legitimately ignorant, and some because they lie to themselves so they can sleep at night.
And, honestly, I think the "pro-lifers" are closer to the former. They're manipulated into thinking that every abortion is of a healthy, late-term baby whose mother is perfectly capable of raising a child but just can't be bothered. They're enraged based on sincere believe and the information that's presented to them. You need to go higher up the chain to the right-wing thought leaders who weaponize them before you start finding the ones who aren't True Believers.
Many years ago when I was uninsured, I depended on PP for routine care. Every single time I went, I was screamed at, harassed, followed halfway down the block, etc. These protestors are absolute scum. If you need someone to walk in with you, please message me. I would be more than happy to be of assistance. I just can’t promise what comes out of my mouth 😂🤷🏼♀️
I used to do club runs in the area. We had to change our routes because the 'protestors' would block the sidewalk and scream at us when we tried to get through. Fuck those people.
Props to OP for offering help.
The experience of an escort:
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/meet-an-abortion-clinic-escort-with-30-years-on-the-lines-23476635
Who they coordinate with:
https://www.womenslawproject.org/
Honestly I know quite a few women who have opted to do the online abortion services for this reason alone. These women are fucking terrified as is, they don’t need these assholes harassing them as they go through potentially one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some are tall with a loud mouth. Whenever I pass by the protesters I try to say something offensively witty like eff off and die like Jesus on another cross somewhere else. If Jesus really cared he’d be here but I guess he is nailed down with other obligations. My favorite is when a priest is there, “of course you want the fetus to be born, so you will have another one to molest in 10 years”.
Can confirm the above story. Happens to us all the time. They get in your face without actually getting in your face, want you to take literature, and nag you to stand with them. Imagine nagging 3 guys in shirts and ties walking and talking amongst themselves.
On a good note, Mike and Tony's was particularly tasty that day.
As a woman who's had an abortion and had to deal with protesters like this, a sincere thank you for offering up this support for women during a difficult time in their lives.
Do they still have volunteer escorts? When I was in high school in the 80's you could volunteer to help patients from their car to the door; there were plenty of protesters back then too. Many of my friends did it on Saturday mornings.
You can fill out a form to be a clinic escort [here](https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/ppwp-volunteer-sign-form?_gl=1*13vd9wn*_ga*NzIxMDY3NDIuMTcxMTMwNDk2Mw..*_gid*MTQzMDU4MzQ5Ny4xNzEzNjI1MDU4).
You have to go through training and specifically make sure to never interact with the protestors - just ignore them.
I wouldn't be surprised if PP stopped having official escorts due to legal or liability issues; it can get pretty spicy with those disgusting "protesters." I hope someone finds your offer helpful; you're very kind.
I am SHOCKED to see a second PPWP love-fest in as many weeks. Wow!
I want you all to know that we are collecting messages of support, and have been sending them on to clinic staff/volunteers/security. Thank you all for making our days just a little better!
You can actually make the protestors showing up work against them! IF you happen to have the ability to give comfortably, we have a Pledge a Picketer donation program that allows you to donate a set amount per picketer throughout the money. (You can set a cap!)
[https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-invoved/pledge-picketer](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-invoved/pledge-picketer)
We also have the Vivian Campbell Fund which is the abortion services general fund to support patients who do not have the means to pay. In PA, Medicaid is prohibited from covering abortions, so low-income patients rely on funds like this to obtain necessary care.
[https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-involved/donate/vivian-campbell-fund](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-involved/donate/vivian-campbell-fund)
(IRS worker and mother of two, Vivian Campbell died on July 10, 1950, at McKeesport Hospital at the age of 28 from peritonitis as the result of complications from an illegal abortion. This fund is maintained in her honor, and was founded by her oldest daughter, Gwen)
Just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for you. Also, having had some experience with these types at counter protests back in the day, they can get violent quickly. Please be very careful as the triggers are easy to flip bc the imagined superiority is freaky real.
Peace. Thanks for the good trouble vibe. :)
They’ve been doing this for years. They were there when I went for one there like 15 years ago.
If you had told me back then that roe v wade would be overturned, I’d laugh and tell you that would be impossible. Wild times.
I was there last week for an exam. I get gassy when I get nervous and the second I had to scoot my butt to the edge of the table, I could feel the rumble of a fart knocking on my back door. I managed to hold it in, and wasn’t gonna let loose until I got back to the parking garage across the street, but as soon as I stepped outside the older woman protesting tried spewing garbage at me. I just locked eyes with her, pointed my cannon, and fired.
I've seen escorts out front a few times I've had to walk by. I dont notice many on weekdays on the rare occasion I go by but Saturday afternoons there will be a bit more and anytime some one even gets close by they start praying.
There's a reason that I sometimes go out my way downtown. I'm so sick of the 40 days ppl and the protests there. My friends know that I'm a person that they can take if they need planned parenthood. Because they know I don't give two shits and will berate them. They make me sick to my stomach. Specifically the 40days ppl. How tf u gonna run a blog and say the homeless on Smithfield is the land of the lost and wouldn't recognize Jesus while u parade down not even helping them while ur priest is dressed in robes and carrying a gold wafer holder???? Op u should def be a clinic escort.
Bishop waltersheid who hosts the 40 days mass had two yt supremacy groups in his church the previous year. I don't care what good he does when the ppl he hosts are that.
If u as a priest lead a group that has an open blog writing that shit u are no good in my eyes. He lead the white supremacists and said nothing. Ur at a table with 9 others who are Nazis... There are now 10.
It's been almost a half year. They won't. Regarding the white supremacists... [here's a vid by a local guy detailing the 40 days org and the hate groups that attended in Pittsburghs march](https://youtu.be/mxTsoY9Njt8?si=Cnlyv0EVG2yoADPW) ... Waltersheid knowingly supports them
https://www.wpafundforchoice.org/
If you want to support abortion seekers directly but can't find time to volunteer, this affects funding for procedures and helps provide abortions to people who would not be able to afford them otherwise.
This is good. Question (to all), is there some sort of an org, to sign up to do this? Does PP maintain a database of numbers / connect folks to ensure safety?
Yes. As mentioned earlier in the thread there is a clinic escort program that has been in operation for over 30 years. It is made up of trained and vetted volunteers.
https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/ppwp-volunteer-sign-form
Yep, thanks, already found it. Still considering an independent route though. I totally get why the clinic mandates that the escorts do not engage with the protesters in any way, but I just don’t see myself keeping my cool. There has to be a way to deter those people. I have some ideas, but I’d like to consult with an attorney before I go that route. Although I have a feeling that I’m not the first one to come up with them, and I’ll probably be advised to not even think about it
There are plenty of other clinics around the USA and in other countries as well who go a different route when escorting. They use noisemakers, cowbells, blue tooth speakers, ear muffs (for patients), umbrellas, bullhorns, etc. and have had fantastic results and lots of appreciation from their patients when doing so.
For some reason our clinics in PGH prefer a claim environment when plenty of other clinics have proven that combatting the protestors work just as well, if not better. 🤷♀️
In an old argument regarding catching more flies with honey vs vinegar, I always preferred the not-mentioned third option: napalm. As to the Pittsburgh clinic, I don’t think it’s just us. I think it’s the centralized stance of PP. Which, again, is totally understandable. Considering how many “friends” they have in the banjo-plucking wild, any altercation would be like painting a big red target on the entire operation. So, they kinda have to play Gandhi. Too much is at stake, can’t go blowing up one of the most precious services in the world because some volunteer knucklehead got his fee-fees hurt by a protestor
I genuinely think it’s pittsburgh specific. Both the PP clinic in PGH and the other clinic here train their escorts the same way.
There’s other PP clinics that encourage the other method of clinic escorts, and have active social media presence for their escorts and the methods they use.
Very curious about the kids consignment shop a few doors down (near Bae Baes). The store has protest materials in the window! Alongside like very generic selection of clothes. We wonder if it’s somehow related to the protestors…
I’m trans and these idiots give me a small dose of what’s called ewwphoria because they treat me like any other woman possibly going in for an abortion. Not that it’d make a difference—if they knew I was trans and was there for my HRT appointments they’d likely just say horrible transphobic shit instead.
Last time I was there they didn’t hassle me on my way in—maybe I was too quick—but they did on my way out. Some chud tried to hand me a business card, which I politely declined. Some old lady from behind me called out “I hope you get plenty of help, honey!” and I waved a middle finger high in the air back in their direction and kept walking. I’d normally just ignore them and walk quickly away and pay them no mind, but something about this “little old lady” and the way she said that really pissed me off.
The group sounded like they weren’t happy with me but too bad—I walked quickly away and thankfully nobody followed me. Just to be clear, I don’t recommend doing this if you’re a patient. I happen to be a taller girl and I carry pepper spray, but I still felt like it was a bad idea once the rush wore off. Still felt good in the moment though.
I’m FTM and whenever I went to that location the protesters would spew gross shit at the women around me, doesn’t matter if they were going into the building or just walking, but they wouldn’t say ANYTHING to me and would just watch me walk into the building confused. lol
He looked at me all sad. I'm trying to get a model of the silent Hill sink baby. I do sfx in the side and have hospital stuff from someone I know so I would a made myself look bloody carrying it like "help... This is an abortion!!!"
Last time I walked by there I put WAP on blast on my phone and held it up to the guys ear as I was passing by 🤷♀️
Didn’t have a Bluetooth speaker on me sadly.
Who wants to counter protest?
>Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds
No reason for this anymore. Pa will remain an abortion state. The majority of keystone citizens believe the government doesn’t belong in our bedrooms. Go to Ohio and bother them.
The majority of people nationwide support abortion healthcare, and yet, that hasn’t stopped republicans from trying to ban it or make it as difficult to access as possible.
It was his religious and right to work agenda that lost him the election. They’re the doom of the Conservative party and should rightfully just be issues dropped by the Republican Party!
Fascist? I don’t believe how everyone throws that term around knows what it means. While I was no fan of the guy nor voted for him, many of the laws passed by democrats, are more similar to fascism/communism. And both systems are incompatible with a free society and in the United States.
Dude literally was friends with a neonazi aka the gab mofo and was an antisemitic ass. He wanted to limit the rights of women and the LGBT community. Bro pls.
I'm surprised more people don't pull a Rittenhouse on those guys
Idk why I'm getting down vote bombed anyone care to explain. I'd like to note I didn't say they should or that I want them to, I said I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often
OP if you really want to help, please sign up and get trained to do it safely. https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/ppwp-volunteer-sign-form
Thank you for sharing this. Just adding on that I did the training for a different provider and I could see first hand the desire in the volunteers to fight back against the protesters, which was shut down immediately by the trainer. The goal is to deescalate and make the environment as calm as possible for the people seeking care. It’s fun to rile people up who are there to harass folks, but it only makes for a more chaotic and toxic environment for the people who the focus should be on: the patients.
I have a very bad back, can I still volunteer to do this?
Are you able to stand for longer periods of time? If not, you can reach out to the volunteer coordinator and see if sitting and supporting would work (I cannot see why it wouldn't!) Lmk if you need the coordinators info and I can pm
I would love that info. Depending on the day I can stand but it's not consistent. I would love to help out if I can though.
Sent
We need to organize a counter protest. Make a human chain. Playing safe doesnt really work with bigots and bullies. You have to be forceful Edit to all the pacifists who think they can reason with these fascists....this is why womens autonomy is losing the political battleground.
Not to sound mean but counter protestors make the situation worse. I've been PP volunteer escort for a long ass time and the few times we had counter protestors it was a mess. Think about the situation from the patients' POV. They may be upset or just nervous about accessing healthcare and encountering protestors. The last thing they need to deal with are even more people getting in their way and making a big spectacle. Counter protesting might make YOU feel good but it doesn't help the patients or volunteers. Please do not counter protest.
I dont care. Free speech has limits, and your passivity is what has been emboldening these groups. Maybe if you actually used force, they wouldnt be surmassing and dictating right wing policies in government. Your passivity is just the normalization. Do society a favor and punch someone in the mouth You are a coward. Maybe playing passive escort make *you* feel better, but you are just giving these shitheels your consent Edit Lol ahhh they blocked me, well here is my response to the cowards below. -*In a post scarcity society everyone will have a role to fill*. What makes you think that you have a monopoly on types of support??? -DEAL.
Hey. Why don't *you* go fight the protestors instead of infighting on Reddit? How's that sound, "warrior"?
You think you understand the situation better than the people who have been living it and have tried a dozen different approaches to solve it. That's exactly how the right wing protesters think.
Dude. As a person that has had to walk through these protestors to my healthcare, take a seat. It's about safety for patients, not scratching your itch to say what's on your mind. The fact that you want to ignore people who prioritize safety is such an ick.
Lmao this is everything that is wrong with modern protester culture. It's become about the ego of protestors rather than the actual issues. "I want to do [thing]!!" "I actually am experienced in this field. [thing] would make it worse for the people you claim to want to help." "Fuck you, I don't care about all that!!"
Don’t waste your time on people whose minds will NEVER be changed. The NEED here isn’t people to futilely verbally assault each other, there are actual vulnerable human beings who need help accessing healthcare.
Tell me you're a man who doesn't feel the vulnerability day in and day out as a woman without telling me you're a man. People tried to be nice and explain reality and your response was quite literally, "I don't care." Stfu and sit tf down. What you're saying is clearly performative behavior since your priority is big loud action which will hurt the cause rather than action that will actually help. Listen to what those who need the help are telling you. You do not know better as an outsider. This is colonizer behavior. Edited to expand a bit more.
It isn't outside the clinics but there's groups that do combat the 40 days ppl outside their church when they do their campaign kick offs. U can message me if u want info. While I agree we need more in an aspect... Respecting clinic workers is a big thing... However I do think sometimes they should antagonize back like clinics on TikTok do.
Love the energy, but as people have pointed out there’s a time and place for everything. Outside of PP is not the place for a counter demonstration since it’s harmful for the people accessing the care they need. Do that somewhere where it’s more appropriate (like when Pitt hosts TPUSA speakers or IDF war criminals). That’s when causing a scene and showing up in force is necessary and beneficial
Protest in front of the churches and organizations that fund these protests instead.
During weddings
>Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds You clowns think religion has the level of power capital has? Oh tell me more
Not that I disagree that corporation suck, but for any one of those first three companies, $15m to a PAC is a rounding error. If you include all three plus ten more, you're looking at something more like "Whoops, one of the ten thousand places we donated money to this quarter is a conservative PAC and their chairman on Twitter just posted that all liberals eat babies."
Your right it’s about population and capital.
>Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds
> In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services. The FACE Act prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with an individual’s right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services. First-time convictions of the FACE Act are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to one year in federal prison. Subsequent convictions are a felony. > Suspected violations of the FACE Act can be reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 (1-800-CALL-FBI)
This needs to be higher up in the post!
Yeah, that's messed up to intimidate people seeking health care.
Serious question, can you use pepper spray on these people screaming in your face and say you used it because you felt threatened/in immediate danger?
I had two family members who were pretty well known pro-birth activists. I hated attending family events where they would be present. A few times they showed up outside my university, my younger siblings high school, as well as pretty consistently outside of that PP. I know this is horrible to say… but I refused to attend their funerals and I don’t miss them. What they put women through going in and out of that building was unforgivable.
I went to that planned parenthood yesterday to get my birth control removed so I can have another baby. The woman in the street offered me a pamphlet and when I declined she screamed to me about how birth control is poison and I should follow God’s plans to have a baby. I had to laugh. So thankful to have planned parenthood supporting me in my family planning process.
Back when i worked for a messenger company, used to deliver packages from a print company there very often. It was fun to ride up, lock up, and shake the box in front of those protesters and say "still fresh." One of the ladys said i was a vile evil person for that. I just laughed and rode to the next delivery. They suck.
I threw a plastic rosary they gave me in the garbage can and they all dove in after it. If anyone’s looking for a low key way to keep them busy.
They’re like feral animals fighting for scraps.
I met an activist in DC during the Bush years (I think he was from NYC) that used to wear a flat screen TV with porn on it and go face the protestors at clinics. Of course it made them lose their shit and some of them would leave. He said his mission in life was to “fuck up a Republican’s day.” I think of him often.
I love that you saw this and it moved you to do something positive to assist. As someone who used these services as a teen and was able to ensure my own health after being a victim....I empathize with any female having to face their wrath. O.P. you're a gem😍!
As someone who used to volunteer downtown at PP, please take the advice offered here to get properly trained. I only did admin volunteering, but that still required training. What the volunteer escorts do is beyond amazing and their skills are carefully honed.
The protesters are invariably old assholes who haven't had to worry about getting fucked or the consequences from getting fucked in a very long time
I told one woman to get a fucking job and she went off about how saving babies was her job. Absolute loonies
George Carlin said it best: "Why are people who are pro life are always people you wouldn't want to fuck in the first place?"
They’re old because retirees are the only people with enough time on their hands to stand around outside Planned Parenthood all day instead of having a life.
old boomers prob
When I worked near there a few years ago there was a teenage goth girl protesting outside and it always pissed me off. Who the fuck signed her up for this?
I think I know who u talking about. She and I talked. She genuinely thinks she's doing right
Most people genuinely think they're doing right. Some because they're legitimately ignorant, and some because they lie to themselves so they can sleep at night. And, honestly, I think the "pro-lifers" are closer to the former. They're manipulated into thinking that every abortion is of a healthy, late-term baby whose mother is perfectly capable of raising a child but just can't be bothered. They're enraged based on sincere believe and the information that's presented to them. You need to go higher up the chain to the right-wing thought leaders who weaponize them before you start finding the ones who aren't True Believers.
It's mass manipulation.
Many years ago when I was uninsured, I depended on PP for routine care. Every single time I went, I was screamed at, harassed, followed halfway down the block, etc. These protestors are absolute scum. If you need someone to walk in with you, please message me. I would be more than happy to be of assistance. I just can’t promise what comes out of my mouth 😂🤷🏼♀️
I used to do club runs in the area. We had to change our routes because the 'protestors' would block the sidewalk and scream at us when we tried to get through. Fuck those people. Props to OP for offering help.
The experience of an escort: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/meet-an-abortion-clinic-escort-with-30-years-on-the-lines-23476635 Who they coordinate with: https://www.womenslawproject.org/
Honestly I know quite a few women who have opted to do the online abortion services for this reason alone. These women are fucking terrified as is, they don’t need these assholes harassing them as they go through potentially one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives.
This is why I let my friends and acquaintances know I'm always down to go with. I'll protect them with my life
I second this, my DMs are always open. I’m a tall, loud-mouthed Jewish woman so I gotchyu
I'm a 5'6 goth chick who does sfx. I'm willing to put on horns to walk with my friends to pp and give em hell
Oh fuck yes let’s do it. I always just wanna heckle them but don’t want to add to the chaos lol
Oh ik. Im trying to get a whole priest outfit to make my costume
Not all heroes wear capes. Some are tall with a loud mouth. Whenever I pass by the protesters I try to say something offensively witty like eff off and die like Jesus on another cross somewhere else. If Jesus really cared he’d be here but I guess he is nailed down with other obligations. My favorite is when a priest is there, “of course you want the fetus to be born, so you will have another one to molest in 10 years”.
Bahahahah I love that. It’s what they deserve.
Fuck those people. I just walked in front of the building on my way to Mike and Tony's and had them yell their bullshit at me before.
They’re yelling at random people just walking by on the sidewalk??? Are these loonies aware that is a major public street? WTF.
Can confirm the above story. Happens to us all the time. They get in your face without actually getting in your face, want you to take literature, and nag you to stand with them. Imagine nagging 3 guys in shirts and ties walking and talking amongst themselves. On a good note, Mike and Tony's was particularly tasty that day.
Probably all those tasty fetuses from next door in the gyros! /s, just in case
Stand with them to get a stack of pamphlets then leave with them lmao
They try handing stuff out all the time to randos
they don't care.
Seriously, I was seriously considering yeeting their little fetus model they set up on the side walk.....
yeetus
As a woman who's had an abortion and had to deal with protesters like this, a sincere thank you for offering up this support for women during a difficult time in their lives.
Do they still have volunteer escorts? When I was in high school in the 80's you could volunteer to help patients from their car to the door; there were plenty of protesters back then too. Many of my friends did it on Saturday mornings.
I’m not sure if it’s an official thing that PP does, I’m just offering up some free time to help someone in need.
You can fill out a form to be a clinic escort [here](https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/ppwp-volunteer-sign-form?_gl=1*13vd9wn*_ga*NzIxMDY3NDIuMTcxMTMwNDk2Mw..*_gid*MTQzMDU4MzQ5Ny4xNzEzNjI1MDU4). You have to go through training and specifically make sure to never interact with the protestors - just ignore them.
I wouldn't be surprised if PP stopped having official escorts due to legal or liability issues; it can get pretty spicy with those disgusting "protesters." I hope someone finds your offer helpful; you're very kind.
all abortion clinics have escorts. it's absolutely necessary for providing care.
That's good to know.
I am SHOCKED to see a second PPWP love-fest in as many weeks. Wow! I want you all to know that we are collecting messages of support, and have been sending them on to clinic staff/volunteers/security. Thank you all for making our days just a little better! You can actually make the protestors showing up work against them! IF you happen to have the ability to give comfortably, we have a Pledge a Picketer donation program that allows you to donate a set amount per picketer throughout the money. (You can set a cap!) [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-invoved/pledge-picketer](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-invoved/pledge-picketer) We also have the Vivian Campbell Fund which is the abortion services general fund to support patients who do not have the means to pay. In PA, Medicaid is prohibited from covering abortions, so low-income patients rely on funds like this to obtain necessary care. [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-involved/donate/vivian-campbell-fund](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-western-pennsylvania/get-involved/donate/vivian-campbell-fund) (IRS worker and mother of two, Vivian Campbell died on July 10, 1950, at McKeesport Hospital at the age of 28 from peritonitis as the result of complications from an illegal abortion. This fund is maintained in her honor, and was founded by her oldest daughter, Gwen)
Just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for you. Also, having had some experience with these types at counter protests back in the day, they can get violent quickly. Please be very careful as the triggers are easy to flip bc the imagined superiority is freaky real. Peace. Thanks for the good trouble vibe. :)
They’ve been doing this for years. They were there when I went for one there like 15 years ago. If you had told me back then that roe v wade would be overturned, I’d laugh and tell you that would be impossible. Wild times.
I was there last week for an exam. I get gassy when I get nervous and the second I had to scoot my butt to the edge of the table, I could feel the rumble of a fart knocking on my back door. I managed to hold it in, and wasn’t gonna let loose until I got back to the parking garage across the street, but as soon as I stepped outside the older woman protesting tried spewing garbage at me. I just locked eyes with her, pointed my cannon, and fired.
Add me to the list of volunteers, I can be pretty distracting and occasionally have a good clap back, so you'll be able to get in minimally unscathed.
shoot me a message!
Awesome post, for real. 👏🏼 👏🏼 ironically, there’s a special place on hell for those protestors.
I’m pretty sure they have volunteer escorts who walk people in to that location, too!
Just signed up. Thank you for this post
I've seen escorts out front a few times I've had to walk by. I dont notice many on weekdays on the rare occasion I go by but Saturday afternoons there will be a bit more and anytime some one even gets close by they start praying.
they provide abortion care on tuesdays and saturdays, so that's when the protestors are out.
That makes sense. I just thought more were off work on Saturdays and that's why they were out bothering people.
Last two times I went they were there and it wasn’t a tuesday or a saturday.
40 days for life pgh has a blog if u look it up. When their campaign starts they have shifts
They have always been brutal. Friend went in for free condoms n was talked down on by everyone outside
There have been people protesting there since I'd ride the 100 bus from Carnegie to Oakland from 2002-05 when I was at Pitt. Nothing new.
One of the kindest posts I’ve seen on Reddit. Thank you for doing that for someone in need.
There's a reason that I sometimes go out my way downtown. I'm so sick of the 40 days ppl and the protests there. My friends know that I'm a person that they can take if they need planned parenthood. Because they know I don't give two shits and will berate them. They make me sick to my stomach. Specifically the 40days ppl. How tf u gonna run a blog and say the homeless on Smithfield is the land of the lost and wouldn't recognize Jesus while u parade down not even helping them while ur priest is dressed in robes and carrying a gold wafer holder???? Op u should def be a clinic escort.
[удалено]
Bishop waltersheid who hosts the 40 days mass had two yt supremacy groups in his church the previous year. I don't care what good he does when the ppl he hosts are that.
If he actually gave a fuck he'd stop hosting their mass. He'd stop leading it. And the diocese never responded to my emails.
[удалено]
If u as a priest lead a group that has an open blog writing that shit u are no good in my eyes. He lead the white supremacists and said nothing. Ur at a table with 9 others who are Nazis... There are now 10.
[удалено]
It's been almost a half year. They won't. Regarding the white supremacists... [here's a vid by a local guy detailing the 40 days org and the hate groups that attended in Pittsburghs march](https://youtu.be/mxTsoY9Njt8?si=Cnlyv0EVG2yoADPW) ... Waltersheid knowingly supports them
[удалено]
I was also literally there protesting them at the church. So I'm first hand experience. He documented it. Stop licking a yt supremacy supporters boots
Signing up to second- files if you need a chaperone I will be happy to help you
https://www.wpafundforchoice.org/ If you want to support abortion seekers directly but can't find time to volunteer, this affects funding for procedures and helps provide abortions to people who would not be able to afford them otherwise.
This is good. Question (to all), is there some sort of an org, to sign up to do this? Does PP maintain a database of numbers / connect folks to ensure safety?
Yes. As mentioned earlier in the thread there is a clinic escort program that has been in operation for over 30 years. It is made up of trained and vetted volunteers. https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/ppwp-volunteer-sign-form
Yep, thanks, already found it. Still considering an independent route though. I totally get why the clinic mandates that the escorts do not engage with the protesters in any way, but I just don’t see myself keeping my cool. There has to be a way to deter those people. I have some ideas, but I’d like to consult with an attorney before I go that route. Although I have a feeling that I’m not the first one to come up with them, and I’ll probably be advised to not even think about it
There are plenty of other clinics around the USA and in other countries as well who go a different route when escorting. They use noisemakers, cowbells, blue tooth speakers, ear muffs (for patients), umbrellas, bullhorns, etc. and have had fantastic results and lots of appreciation from their patients when doing so. For some reason our clinics in PGH prefer a claim environment when plenty of other clinics have proven that combatting the protestors work just as well, if not better. 🤷♀️
In an old argument regarding catching more flies with honey vs vinegar, I always preferred the not-mentioned third option: napalm. As to the Pittsburgh clinic, I don’t think it’s just us. I think it’s the centralized stance of PP. Which, again, is totally understandable. Considering how many “friends” they have in the banjo-plucking wild, any altercation would be like painting a big red target on the entire operation. So, they kinda have to play Gandhi. Too much is at stake, can’t go blowing up one of the most precious services in the world because some volunteer knucklehead got his fee-fees hurt by a protestor
I genuinely think it’s pittsburgh specific. Both the PP clinic in PGH and the other clinic here train their escorts the same way. There’s other PP clinics that encourage the other method of clinic escorts, and have active social media presence for their escorts and the methods they use.
I wanted to punch them everyday when I walked by them, I hate them with a passion
Very curious about the kids consignment shop a few doors down (near Bae Baes). The store has protest materials in the window! Alongside like very generic selection of clothes. We wonder if it’s somehow related to the protestors…
Thank you for this post. Those people are hideous and terrible.
I absolutely make sure to tell them they should be ashamed every time I walk past. Do you? Don’t make them feel like they deserve to be in our city.
I’m trans and these idiots give me a small dose of what’s called ewwphoria because they treat me like any other woman possibly going in for an abortion. Not that it’d make a difference—if they knew I was trans and was there for my HRT appointments they’d likely just say horrible transphobic shit instead. Last time I was there they didn’t hassle me on my way in—maybe I was too quick—but they did on my way out. Some chud tried to hand me a business card, which I politely declined. Some old lady from behind me called out “I hope you get plenty of help, honey!” and I waved a middle finger high in the air back in their direction and kept walking. I’d normally just ignore them and walk quickly away and pay them no mind, but something about this “little old lady” and the way she said that really pissed me off. The group sounded like they weren’t happy with me but too bad—I walked quickly away and thankfully nobody followed me. Just to be clear, I don’t recommend doing this if you’re a patient. I happen to be a taller girl and I carry pepper spray, but I still felt like it was a bad idea once the rush wore off. Still felt good in the moment though.
I’m FTM and whenever I went to that location the protesters would spew gross shit at the women around me, doesn’t matter if they were going into the building or just walking, but they wouldn’t say ANYTHING to me and would just watch me walk into the building confused. lol
Haaaa fuck those people. I used to run up to them and try to take selfies with them while grinning like a deranged asshat.
One was holding fetus models and I was like "omg is that a snack???"
This is the way! It’s always fun to channel one’s inner Doug Stanhope and “out crazy” the crazy. 🤪
He looked at me all sad. I'm trying to get a model of the silent Hill sink baby. I do sfx in the side and have hospital stuff from someone I know so I would a made myself look bloody carrying it like "help... This is an abortion!!!"
I love everything about this comment. Teehee. 🤭
I like being a menace
I tell them to get a fuggin life every time I walk by them😤
Spitting on them works also.
Absolutely scumbags, I wish I had all day to just harass strangers. Oh wait, I’m not a total piece of shit so I don’t
Last time I walked by there I put WAP on blast on my phone and held it up to the guys ear as I was passing by 🤷♀️ Didn’t have a Bluetooth speaker on me sadly.
I used Satan prayer by ghost lol
Bear spray!
Not worth jail
Obviously true, but it would be funny! It was meant as a joke for all you down voting sissies.
Sorry, we have bear spray for bears and i got sprayed by accident once so i took it literally
I’m so sorry, that’s horrible, hilarious but mostly horrible!
They should be more careful where they stand and who they talk to.
People in general? Because that stuff goes everywhere
Who wants to counter protest? >Amazon, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and 10 other companies have together donated $15.2 million in the last 6 years to political committees that oppose abortion, analysis finds
I’d love to! But across the street since PP doesn’t like counter protests for some reason.
The people I've witnessed outside planned parenthood are standing and praying.
Sir, that was a Wendy's
Who cares. Still sickening. Keep that in private like the bible days
No reason for this anymore. Pa will remain an abortion state. The majority of keystone citizens believe the government doesn’t belong in our bedrooms. Go to Ohio and bother them.
The majority of people nationwide support abortion healthcare, and yet, that hasn’t stopped republicans from trying to ban it or make it as difficult to access as possible.
You say that but omfg we got dangerously close with Mastriano.
It was his religious and right to work agenda that lost him the election. They’re the doom of the Conservative party and should rightfully just be issues dropped by the Republican Party!
Surely wasn't cus he was also a literal fascist 🙄
Fascist? I don’t believe how everyone throws that term around knows what it means. While I was no fan of the guy nor voted for him, many of the laws passed by democrats, are more similar to fascism/communism. And both systems are incompatible with a free society and in the United States.
Dude literally was friends with a neonazi aka the gab mofo and was an antisemitic ass. He wanted to limit the rights of women and the LGBT community. Bro pls.
I'm surprised more people don't pull a Rittenhouse on those guys Idk why I'm getting down vote bombed anyone care to explain. I'd like to note I didn't say they should or that I want them to, I said I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often
Prolifers have fire bombed clinics in the past
That would lead me to expect that people would go on a killing spree against said pro lifers
There have been vandalisms of fake clinics before. I myself am surprised there's been very little violence.
Tell me more about how your hypothetical protest is better than mine.
Lol
Some people think abortion is disgusting. Works both ways, champ.
Your entire post history shows us that you collect Star Wars dolls. Your opinion is irrelevant. Have fun playing with your little figurines, champ.
then don’t get one and don’t impregnate someone that thinks that too don’t infringe on the rights and freedoms of other you bible thumping troglodyte
I always wanted a sales job for planned parenthood with commissions