Construction Boycott Forces Austin Planned Parenthood to Go Its Own Way

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 12, 2003   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Construction Boycott Forces Austin Planned Parenthood to Go Its Own Way

by Maria Gallagher
LifeNews.com Staff Writer
November 12, 2003

Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) — Is Planned Parenthood going into the construction business?

The nation’s largest abortion operation announced this week that it would act as the general contractor for its own multi-million-dollar abortion center in Austin, Texas. The announcement follows a boycott of the project launched by pro-life business executives who are involved in construction work.

"The Planned Parenthood announcement…that they will be the general contractor means they do not have a general contractor," said Chris Danze, leader of the Austin Area Pro-Life Contractors and Suppliers Association.

The project’s previous general contractor, Browning Construction Co. of San Antonio, recently pulled out of the project, citing an inability to retain subcontractors and suppliers. Browning came under significant pressure from area pro-life advocates who engaged in a writing and calling campaign.

Planned Parenthood, however, claims that there are companies willing to take part in the project, but that their identities will be kept confidential.

Danze contacted some 750 CEOs of construction-related businesses in the Austin and San Antonio area encouraging them to boycott the pro-abortion building project.

No concrete supplier within 60 miles of Austin has agreed to work on the Planned Parenthood building, according to Danze. He points out that, at a recent fundraising luncheon, Planned Parenthood had a 60 pound bag of concrete mix on display accompanied by a sign which read, "pro-choice concrete."

"If they plan on pouring the foundation with 60 lb. bags of mix from Home Depot, we better pull up a chair, we’ll be here a while," Danze said.

A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood, Danielle Tierney, has called the boycott a "campaign of harassment and intimidation," claiming that the $6.2 million abortion facility will be completed, despite efforts by pro-life forces to stop it.

Some pro-life activists wonder whether the idea of a building boycott led by pro-life contractors will spread to other areas in which Planned Parenthood and other abortion operations attempt to open up shop.

The boycott has received an assist from Christian radio.

One talk show host, Adam McManus, told LifeNews.com that his listeners inundated Browning Construction with calls and e-mails in an effort to persuade the firm to abandon the Planned Parenthood project.

Planned Parenthood wants to open the Austin abortion center by fall, 2004. But Danze and his supporters hope the boycott campaign will ensure that the center never opens its doors.

"The boycott continues with tremendous momentum which is translating into community awareness about the devastation Planned Parenthood perpetrates on Austin families," Danze said.