Planned Parenthood is seeking to establish a medical clinic at 435 Grand Avenue
Abortions on Grand Avenue? That is part of the concern being raised by pro-life Catholic groups who are rallying to pressure South San Francisco officials not to allow a Planned Parenthood on Grand Avenue.
Over 100 pro-lifers turned up at the Parking Place Commission at the Thursday, March 21st 6:00 p.m. meeting and were extremely disappointed when the Commission agreed the parking requirements for the 13 spaces was met with adequate parking and utilizing the Miller Avenue parking structure. Catholic pro-lifers have vowed to move forward to block approval of Planned Parenthood moving into our city. Their vow comes from their deep seated belief that abortion is the intentional and direct killing of an innocent human being, and therefore it is a form of homicide. Abortion is the first of the Catholic FIVE NON-NEGOTIATES, followed by Euthanasia, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and Homosexual Marriage.
Pro-life groups plan to demonstrate Saturday
This downtown location is already zoned for medical businesses and many of these Doctor offices have been part of the 400 block of Grand Avenue for generations. Planned Parenthood has stated the medical offices are not for surgery of any type, rather for general medical health, as are the other medical offices in the area. The proximity of the parking garage fulfills the parking requirements set forth by the city ordinances. The next step for this proposed move would be heard and discussed at an upcoming Planning Commission Meeting, most probably in May. The Catholic pro-life group has gathered more members as they set off on a letter writing campaign to city officials expressing their opinions of what they do not want to see on Grand Avenue, or anywhere else in our city, a Planned Parenthood. The pro-life group will be willing to share more information at their demonstration slated for this Saturday April 20th.
What has puzzled some of those involved in this discussion, is why protest only Planned Parenthood when our local hospitals do surgical abortions, and drug stores sell contraceptives every day. If there is such a concern why isn’t there the same intense outcry with them? It makes no sense for there not to be if what is being said has merit. Local business owners understand what is required to open and establish a business. If the proper steps have been followed and signed off, common understanding is you should be able to proceed
And there are others like Nadine Moreno who bring a bigger perspective to the whole issue of abortion in her blog, User Manual Not Available ‘Random Ramblings of a Mom in Training’. Her post from April of last year titled ‘Abortion Action’ was most compelling.
She writes, “What makes me sad about these situations is that we are in 2012, where birth control is one of the most accessible forms of medication, and yet we have over 6,000,000 women world-wide having abortions, just this year alone. Why, when there are so many ways to prevent a pregnancy, are we having so many cases of unwanted pregnancy??” Moreno takes you through deep discussions and consensus that she found when asking many friends and acquaintances questions on this topic. Her writing is thought provoking and a recommended read. Check here to read her articleThere are so many different discussions and all are worthy of being heard. It is important that our South City neighbors are aware of this issue as it has been a controversial situation in other cities. For those who have opinions and want to share with your public officials, see the directory below.
Businesses can be set to move forward because they comply with laws and regulations (in general) and are absorbed and welcomed into our community. Yet we need to remember public input is also necessary for our commissions and councils to serve all of the people they represent.
Planning Commission Meeting
2nd and 4th Thursday of the Month
7:30pm Council Chambers 33 Arroyo Drive
Planning Commission Agendas, minutes, archived videos, and live stream on this link http://www.ssf.net/media/planning.aspx
Planning Commission Members 315 Maple Ave, SSF CA 94083
City Council Members 400 Grand Ave, SSF, CA 94080
Pedro.Gonzalez@ssf.net (Mayor)
[…] It is indeed a passionate conversation as those who responded to ESC’s announcement late Friday evening, “Pro-life demonstration tomorrow 9AM to12Noon at 435 Grand Avenue to protest the proposed Planned Parenthood” reached over 5,000 people with the majority who shared comments echoing Leanne Vejmola’s “This makes me so angry I can’t SEE straight! Against abortion? Fine. Don’t get one. They’re so much more than what these ignorant protesters think they are. They provide ACTUAL health care for women who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. Pelvic exams, birth control, breast exams, etc…. all these things that people (like me) without medical insurance… it makes me sick to think that because they don’t agree with EVERYTHING that they would want to take that away from the people that need it the most. I’m willing to bet that many of the branches also offer prenatal assistance as well…” Moserod OSe opined “These people who claim to be pro life are actually pro birth… they don’t give a tinkers damn once the baby is born, and even scorn the mother when she needs assistance..i.e. welfare, food stamps etc. Planned parenthood sees over 3 million women in an average year. Abortion is a small part of the services they provide. If you let them provide those other services there will be fewer abortions” More comments from this discussion can be viewed HERE as well as the comments on a previous article on ESC. […]
[…] lively discussion last Saturday when a similar protest was announced which prompted this article HERE. Many more acknowledged other people’s comments with LIKE on their posts. More […]
How about this concept? If you’re against abortions, then don’t have one. if you oppose gay marriage, don’t marry someone of your own sex. Start working to stop the sexual exploitations in your own church instead of trying to shove your religious beliefs down someone else’s throat. Either stop political lobbying or start paying taxes!
Separation of church and state. PERIOD.
Planned Parenthood does “Women’s Health”! (men too) Why should we let a church full of pedophiles tell us what to do? Will the Catholic church pay for all the babies born? I did ask this at the Catholic church when my Son was baptized.
He had no answer. Yes! Give us planned parenthood on Grand ave! Religion has NO PLACE in GOVERNMENT! There is a separation of Church and state. The Catholic church should STFU or BE TAXED b/c its politicalpac not a church.
Planned parenthood provides many services to women, abortion is a very small part of the service they provide. I am an RN, I worked in an OB-Gyn office prior to retiring many years ago. Our office received many referrals from planned parenthood. quite a few of these girls went to planned parenthood with the intention of getting an abortion, after the consultaion counselling by pp they changed their minds and were referred for care. Since the closing of the pp clinic in Daly City there has been a great need in this and surrounding area for a clinic such as this where women can get GYN care without a hassle.
Religion shouldn’t be able to play a role in this decision or any other government decision. Our city isn’t made up solely of Catholics, etc and if they don’t believe in abortion then don’t go there! As stated, this is just for medical offices and no surgeries will even be performed there. There are plenty of other things with way more importance to protest, but of course, these sheep will never see that. Tired of others always trying to push their own agendas and hurting everyone else along the way.
Planned Parenthood doesn’t JUST perform abortions. It helps girls get contraceptive that they otherwise might not be able to get, which could help AVOID abortion. Also, girls can go there for regular exams & pap screens that they might not be able to afford otherwise. I was raised Catholic, but I think the Catholic church needs to evolve with the times. Their 5 non-negotiates are outdated now and should be revisited. For the record, I personally would not chose to have an abortion but I think I (and other women) should have the right to do so if they want/need to. Also, children should not have to be born into a family/world where they are not wanted and can’t be taken care of properly.
Tane, I was also raised Catholic. I agree that it should be a choice for women.
Some women sadly abuse this choice and they use abortion as birth control.
My friend had so many abortions when she was younger she could not get pregnant when she was married and she could not understand why not!!
Planned Parenthood is a great organization I agree with Nadine Moreno there are so many different types of birth control now why are there so many abortions? There is the morning after pill as well. But I don’t want someone to tell me I can’t have an abortion if I choose to.