New Boycott List Shows Companies Backing Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 5, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — A Planned Parenthood watchdog has released an updated list of the corporations and companies that provide direct funding for the abortion business. Life Decisions International identifies corporations that are boycott targets due to their support for the biggest abortion company in the world.
The group’s chairman, Thomas Strobhar, tells LifeNews.com today that boycotts work as at least 231 corporations have stopped funding Planned Parenthood as a result of LDI’s boycott project.
It is estimated that the boycott has cost Planned Parenthood more than $40 million since LDI started its campaign nearly 17 years ago.
"This should serve as a testament to those who thought it impossible to change corporate philanthropic behavior," he said.
New boycott targets, appearing on the pre-Christmas 2009 edition of the Planned Parenthood boycott list include Buffalo Wild Wings (restaurants), Estée Lauder (cosmetics/personal care products), Computer Sciences Corporation (information technology), and United Parcel Service (shipping services).
Companies that continue as subjects of the pro-life boycott include EBay, Wells Fargo (including Wachovia), Nike, Time Warner (HBO, AOL, etc.), Bank of America, Walt Disney, Johnson & Johnson, Lost Arrow (Patagonia, etc.), Chevron, and Nationwide Insurance, and Sonic (restaurants), among others.
The new Boycott List includes an expanded "Dishonorable Mention" section, which identifies charitable groups that are associated with Planned Parenthood either through donations or joint programs.
Those groups include AARP, Lions Clubs, the American Cancer Society, Camp Fire, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, Kiwanis Clubs, the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Rotary Clubs, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Salvation Army, the YWCA, and YMCA, among others.
Strobhar said the boycott campaign is not a publicity stunt "where we make news for a few days and then go away."
"Corporate officials are learning that those who value life are among the most dedicated people on earth. We will not go away until corporate involvement with Planned Parenthood comes to an end," he told LifeNews.com.
Another boycott target merited specific attention for the pro-life group: Whole Foods Market, which attracts customers who enjoy their organic food selection.
"Whole Foods Market has been misleading pro-life consumers for many years," LDI communications director Ken Garvey told LifeNews.com. "Statements from the Company vary, depending on who is doing the talking at the time."
"Whole Foods has been emphasizing that it does not support Planned Parenthood at the corporate level, but it does do so on the local level. Corporate officials are telling pro-life advocates it is acceptable to shop at Whole Foods if their particular local market does not give to Planned Parenthood," he continued.
Garvey said: "As one Whole Foods officials said, ‘As I explain to many of the people you encourage to boycott us, check with your local store and see if they donate. Many are happy with this.’"
"We are surprised that any pro-life consumer would fail to see how they are being manipulated by Whole Foods," Garvey continued. "Whole Foods could put an immediate stop to support of Planned Parenthood if the chief executive officer chose to do so. Would the ‘decentralized giving program’ excuse be acceptable to the Humane Society if a local market chose to make a donation to support dog fighting. Certainly not."
He concluded: "Corporate headquarters would put an immediate stop to it. Pro-lifers should view Planned Parenthood in the same way."
Garvey noted that Whole Foods stores located in liberal areas of the country are supporting the pro-abortion group while those in more conservative areas are pleading ignorance and innocence.
Related web sites:
Life Decisions International – https://www.fightpp.org
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