AURORA, Ill., Oct. 14/Christian Newswire --
In a development that reopens the whole controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's deceptive arrival in Aurora in 2007, it has recently been disclosed that PP is planning an expansion in that city. They are seeking approval from the City of Aurora to boost their parking by 27 spaces, an increase of nearly 40 percent.
On October 15, the Planning and Development Committee will vote on PP's request for additional parking. Pro-life advocates plan to attend the meeting and urge the committee to deny Planned Parenthood's request.
Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League asked, "Why would Planned Parenthood need additional parking? We've got people out there all the time, so we know they haven't been overflowing their existing parking lot."
According to documents obtained by Scheidler through Freedom of Information Act requests, Planned Parenthood cites "security" as the reason for seeking more parking spaces. In the "Explanation of Project Needs" submitted by Tim Dutton of McAdam Landscape Inc., who is managing the project for Planned Parenthood, "Our staff and patients are being constantly harassed by the protesters." Dutton even goes so far as to say it's "only a matter of time" before Aurora sees an act of violence like the killing of abortionist George Tiller in Kansas.
"Sadly, the City of Aurora has accepted this explanation and scare tactics at face value. At no point has any city staff member, appointee or elected official ever questioned Planned Parenthood's allegations," said Scheidler. "But the truth is that the pro-life presence at Planned Parenthood's Aurora facility has been a model peacefulness and cooperation with law enforcement."
Scheidler believes the real reason PP wants more parking is a shortage of 26 spaces alleged in a zoning case against the organization going before a state judge later this month. Scheidler also pointed out that research by PLAL attorneys has found that Planned Parenthood's existing parking violates Aurora's zoning ordinance as follows:
1. While the zoning ordinance requires 10-foot-wide parking spaces, Planned Parenthood's spaces are only 9 feet wide.
2. While the zoning ordinance requires a 35 foot setback for parking spaces, Planned Parenthood has only 30.
"Once again, Planned Parenthood is trying to demonize their pro-life opponents to avoid scrutiny of their nefarious business dealings," Scheidler said. "They came into Aurora under a cloud of deception, and now they're trying to paper over their misdeeds by pretending that they're threatened by our peaceful presence there."
"The City of Aurora should deny Planned Parenthood any further opportunity to expand in this community where they are already unwelcome," Scheidler concluded.
