Clinic to open in Aurora, IL; protesters get vocal 1,200 picket women's clinic AURORA -- The rhetoric continued to ramp up Saturday during the largest protest yet of the Planned Parenthood clinic scheduled to open next month on the far East Side.
Police estimated that 1,200 people peacefully picketed near New York Street and Oakhurst Drive -- with the large majority being anti-abortion advocates carrying signs, praying the rosary or chanting slogans.
Both sides of the abortion issue state their cases Saturday during a demonstration near the Planned Parenthood facility that is set to open next month on the far East Side of Aurora. The Pro-Life Action League also is in the midst of a 40-day vigil to protest the women's clinic.
They heavily outnumbered the 20 or so pro-choice advocates, although each side promised that every person in attendance was standing in for dozens -- or hundreds -- who wanted to be there.
"This is not just a local abortion clinic; this is a regional headquarters," said Eric Scheidler, communications director for Pro-Life Action League and an Aurora resident. "We want the city of Aurora to see clear as day that Aurora does not want Planned Parenthood as a neighbor."
Groups join growing protest of Aurora Planned Parenthood clinic What began earlier this month as a prayer vigil protesting a Planned Parenthood clinic under construction in Aurora morphed Saturday into what organizers hope is now a full-blown, regional battle over abortion.
More than 1,000 demonstrators carrying posters with images of unborn and aborted fetuses flanked the sidewalks near the Planned Parenthood clinic at 3051 E. New York St. Saturday morning, calling for its closure and the end of abortion.
Anti-abortion advocates sue, claim harassment AURORA - An anti-abortion advocacy group said it filed a federal lawsuit against Aurora on Friday contending Aurora police officers were interfering with protests outside a Planned Parenthood clinic.
The Thomas More Society of Chicago said it requested a temporary restraining order on behalf of the Pro-Life Action League and Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood. The society claimed "the move was prompted by several recent incidents of harassment by Aurora police toward protesters involving restrictions on where they could protest and how they could display protest signs" in violation of their 1st Amendment Rights.
And for your retching pleasure, a Focus on the Family link: Life Advocates Fight Stealth Illinois Abortion Clinic Planned Parenthood tried to sneak its largest clinic in the country into Aurora, Ill., but residents are having none of it.
Last month, neighbors of the "Gemini Health Clinic" were shocked to learn the $7.5 million facility will actually be used for abortions. On Saturday, more than 1,200 pro-lifers gathered near the building to express their outrage. Some marched with signs, while others prayed or handed out leaflets in the surrounding neighborhoods.
A 24-hour, 40-day prayer vigil began Aug. 9 and organizers say it will continue until the scheduled opening Sept. 18.
Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, said court is next.