Group protests Planned Parenthood meeting at Chinn library
Donnie Biggs/News & Messenger
Katie Walker, left, Marie Hahnenberg and Johanna Dasteel, all with American Life League, protest outside of Chinn Park Regional Library on Tuesday in Woodbridge. The group protested a Planned Parenthood training session for volunteers.
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By Amanda Stewart
Published: July 15, 2008
A group of about half a dozen pickets gathered in front of Chinn Park Regional Library on Tuesday evening to protest a Planned Parenthood meeting.
The protesters, many of whom held purple signs that said "Planned Parenthood Steals Souls," were protesting a Planned Parenthood volunteer training session being held inside
the library's community room.
"We're here to let people know that Planned Parenthood is not liked in the community," said Marie Hahnenberg, a researcher with American Life League, the group that organized the protest.
Planned Parenthood volunteers organizing the
training session said they had no comment on the protest.
Hahnenberg said the protesters were concerned that Planned Parenthood would be targeting young people in the training session.
According to a Web site for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, Tuesday's event was a training session for people interested in volunteering for Planned Parenthood events such as the Occoquan Riverfest, farmers' market and summer concerts.
The training session taught volunteers about the group's missions and services, its campaign for affordable birth control and specific volunteer opportunities, the Web site stated.
Hahnenberg said she and the other protesters were also concerned about Planned Parenthood meeting at the library.
"They should not be at a public library," she said.
According to the Prince William Public Library system's policy on public use of library community rooms, the library does not discriminate against individuals or groups for any reason, including "the political, religious, or social aims expressed by the individual or group, or by any group's members."
Any government agency or non-profit group can apply to use the meeting rooms, as long as the events are open to the public and no fundraising occurs, the policy states.
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( opinion ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I don’t think anyone here is going to argue that parents getting more involved in their own children’s lives can have a positive influence on the subject. The thing is, there are plenty of dead-beat parents out there that aren’t going to change and there are also plenty of kids (especially young ladies) that would be scared to ask their parents about birth control because they know their own parents beliefs on the matter. An organization like this could help those that want the help but are too afraid to ask their parents for it and it could also help the teens that have parents that could care less what their kids do. This org isn’t for the kids that have great 100% communication with their parents. It appears to be there for those that would prefer to be safe rather than roll the dice without birth control. I’m also a lifetime PWC resident and I’ve seen the changes over the years, some positive, some negative. This organization isn’t hurting the community, it’s making an attempt to keep the un-wed single teenage moms to a minimum, which is an undoubtedly positive thing. Unfortunately I’d imagine most kids that could use this help don’t do it and roll the dice anyway…it takes some nerve to ask for help from strangers at that self-conscious age.
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Posted by ( ladybee0322 ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:27 pm
all of you so called parents that dont want anyone educating your child but need some education.As a young person today society is filled with NOTHING but sex and drugs.Alot of teens have parents who tell them nothing about sex except that its bad and dont do it until marriage well most kids i know do exactly what the parents tell them not to and if unsure about something the curiosity makes it a bigger deal to try and find out about. Now if the parents don’t teach us and school basically don’t even teach sex ed anymore who’s going to teach us! You should be happy that someone is willing to go the extra mile and teach kids something other than SEX SELLS” its better for us to have access to proper info and protection if we can’t get it at home for whatever reason. The lack of info is the reason some many young people between 14-21 have kids and have STDs.
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Posted by ( SEE ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Sorry to say but some parents just don’t fit the bill. It seems to be a pattern in some cases! Take a look at the trouble teen’s parents and grandparents. Maybe just MAYBE, Planned Parenthood can stop the cycle. Maybe a teen that doesn’t have a great parent to talk to will turn to Planned Parenthood for advise… For that teen, I am happy to support Planned Parenthood!
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Posted by ( susan ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:11 pm
PLEASE do not mock my faith!!!
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Posted by ( jVA ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:06 pm
“I will pray for each of you. God Bless. “
Ok, let’s have a contest. You pray that teenagers abstain from sex. I’ll provide them sex education and access to birth control. Let’s see which method results in fewer teen pregnancies.
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Posted by ( susan ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:05 pm
First of all let me say that I never said that I forbid any of my children to do this I am teaching them BY EXAMPLE what is right and wrong. I understand that kids will ESPECIALLY boys hormones will be raging and that is why a parent must be involved in their OWN kids life. Talk to them. Ask questions. My 19 year does not live with us anymore and he confides in me. That says something that no matter how large the issue is THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU. Not go to a planned parenthood site and get condoms or pills. I never said that I am better than you or the community. God made all of us EQUAL. My point was for people to STOP wanting the government and their programs to help them raise their children. This is one of our major issues with taxes. Government has stepped in way too many times and that has made people lazy and not wanting to deal with their children. I am a lifetime resident of Woodbridge and value my community. Please do not accuse me of speaking for the entire community as that was not my intent. We all make up this community and our different views. God Bless ALL of You!
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Posted by ( opinion ) on July 16, 2008 at 2:20 pm
“Planned Parenthood is NOT WELCOME in my community”
And just who exactly made you the ruler of OUR community, Susan? Maybe all 7 of you think you’re on the right moral path here but who are you to decide what is right for the entire community? You may have grown up in a convent but the reality is (these days like it was 20yrs ago) teenagers hook-up, the fact that their parents forbid it may make it even more fun for ‘em. The safer they are the better. Not saying it’s a great idea for teens to hook-up and parents should make sure their children are as educated as possible about it but the fact of the matter is it’s going to happen. At least this group is trying to prevent teen pregnancy by other methods than telling the kids to abstain, crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. I do hope that after all your hard work of telling your kids they should wait till marriage it pays off. Good luck with that, in this day age you’re going to need it.
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Posted by ( susan ) on July 16, 2008 at 2:01 pm
again and again and again. YOU ARE TURNING TO OTHERS TO RAISE YOUR OWN CHILDREN!! I will pray for each of you. God Bless.
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Posted by ( letstalk ) on July 16, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Some adults forget they were kids once too. Yes now older they know what choices to make. Having a place where kids or adults could go to get help with raising children or getting prevention from having children is a plus in my book. Why every time an organization wants to help educate kids on sex, people see it as an open door for promoting sex to the youth. Kids are going to have sex regardless. Wouldn’t you want them to have the facts and means of protection? The reason why there is so many teenage pregnancies because there is no guidance in the home. If the parents can’t raise a child then the village is suppose too.
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Posted by ( susan ) on July 16, 2008 at 12:06 pm
hate to tell you but parents need to start taking responsibility for their children and stop letting the government deal with them. Teach your kids morals and they wont want to hope on everything that passes by them!!
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