Planned Parenthood has found a new abortion practitioner to resume doing abortions at its Columbia, Missouri facility, according to Missouri Right to Life.
The pro-life group emailed LifeNews.com, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that after 16 weeks without abortions, the Planned Parenthood in Columbia, MO has found an abortion doctor who will start work there this Thursday, May 26. The Columbia Planned Parenthood represents one of only two abortion clinics here in Missouri, so the need for prayers and action as they attempt to resume this deadly practice is critical.”
“40 Days for Life of Columbia is asking all pro-lifers to please check your calendars, call your friends, bring your children and come to pray on the sidewalk this Thursday, May 26 anytime after 1:00pm. They expect to be there until 7:30 pm or later. As many as 15 women are expected to show up for abortions during this time,” the group added.
Planned Parenthood in Columbia is located at 711 N Providence Road.
When the Planned Parenthood stopping doing abortions, that left two abortion centers operating in Missouri — the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis and the Women’s Care Gynecology abortion clinic in Birdgeton, a suburb near the St. Louis airport.
Peter Brownlie, president of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, told the Columbia Missourian newspaper in September that abortions stopped due to “scheduling issues.” That likely meant the abortion business was having problems finding an out-of-state abortion practitioner to come there on a regular business to do abortions, but the abortion business operator wouldn’t elaborate.
“We don’t talk about our doctors and providers publicly, for security reasons,” he said, “because they’re subject to harassment and difficulties.”
Missouri Right to Life President Pam Fichter applauded the stoppage, even if for a limited time.
“Any time an abortion clinic is not performing abortions, that’s a step in the right direction,” she said. “It’s still wonderful news that the Planned Parenthood in Columbia has temporarily halted its abortion practice. Many lives will be saved as a result.”
MRL legal counsel James Cole said the Women’s Care abortion center Allen Palmer runs has been the subject of considerable controversy.
“Palmer has aggressively sued peaceful demonstrators who have carried signs in a parking lot near the building where he does abortions,” he said.
