Indiana Biz Cancels Planned Parenthood Speaker After Abortion Rape Coverup
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 8, 2009
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) — A local business in South Bend, Indiana has canceled a scheduled speaking engagement with the head of the state Planned Parenthood after complaints about how it recently covered up a case of statutory rape. Local residents also complained that Planned Parenthood of Indiana is the state’s largest abortion business.
The South Bend League of Women Voters had scheduled a luncheon with Betty Cockrum, president and chief executive of the abortion business at South Bend Chocolate Cafe on Friday.
But when news of her appearance got around to local pro-life advocates, they called to complain.
South Bend Chocolate Co. owner Mark Tarner told WSBT that he received numerous phone calls, mostly from women who were upset.
Tarner said he normally reserves the room for any community group that wants to use it and didn’t know that the League of Women Voters had picked the head of an abortion business to talk. He was glad local residents alerted him.
“It’s a blessing that people project so many things on us,” he said. “They must care about our opinion.”
Because of the cancellation Cockrum will now speak at noon Friday in the Colfax Auditorium at the St. Joseph County Public Library.
Lisa Plencner, president of the local voters league, told WBST she was "surprised" by the outpouring of opposition to Cockrum’s coming. She said Cockrum now has a larger venue and hopes more people will come hear her speak.
Cockrum heads the Planned Parenthood whose staff members were twice shown on videotape covering up cases of statutory rape and telling girls how to go to other states for secret abortions without their parents knowing.
ACTION: Thank the South Bend Chocolate Co for canceling the pro-abortion speech by contacting the business at 3300 W Sample St, South Bend, IN 46619, (574) 233-2577.
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