HotSpots for July 1–31, 2010 (some incidents from June 2010 are also included)
HotSpots is a summary of incidents of harassment and violence directed at Planned Parenthood affiliates, national offices, and other reproductive health care providers, produced monthly by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
Pennsylvania 07/30/10 Protesters at a Planned Parenthood health center had several trucks with large signs driving through the area during the protest. The protesters gathered on the front steps of the health center for a group photo before leaving. Staff asked the protesters to stop blocking the entrance to the center and they dispersed.
Nevada 07/27/10 A staff member leaving a Planned Parenthood health center was approached by a woman who said that she would pray for her. The woman then physically grabbed the staff member and repeated that she would be praying for her.
Oregon 07/26/10 Two Planned Parenthood health centers received an anti-choice letter with religious content on stationery with a border of cartoon-like children. The letter indicated the sender would be praying for staff to stop their work with Planned Parenthood.
Virginia 07/23/10 A protester yelled at a patient as she entered a Planned Parenthood health center. When the patient left the building, the protester put his sign on her vehicle and blocked her from leaving. The patient's boyfriend got into an altercation with the protester and police were called.
Illinois 07/22/10 Outside a Planned Parenthood health center, staff found a small box with writing on it that said, "For all the doctors for all you do for women.” A dead possum was found inside the box.
Minnesota 07/17/10 Groups gathered at a building site and protested for more than an hour outside what would be the future home of a new Planned Parenthood health center.
New Jersey 07/15/10 Four protesters wearing anti-choice sandwich board signs circled a Planned Parenthood health center, saying the rosary.
New York 07/13/10 A Planned Parenthood health center staff member received harassing
e-mails containing comments about "killing babies."
Colorado 07/13/10 A Planned Parenthood health center received a letter that discussed prayer against "terrorists" who could "nuke our cities" because "abortion is the fruit of nuclear war." Two articles about the possible discovery of the remains of Noah's Ark were also included.
New Jersey 07/03/10 A Planned Parenthood health center had two different groups of protesters on the same day. One group comprised nuns and a priest dressed in religious garb.
Indiana 07/02/10 Protesters picketed the home of a Planned Parenthood staff member, waving signs and shouting.
Multiple Affiliates, June & July 2010 Several Planned Parenthood health centers received hate mail containing Bible quotations and references to staff "going to hell" for their actions.
Maryland 06/29/10 A Planned Parenthood administrative office received a letter that referred to "millions of children being murdered each year" and included an article titled “Abortion: The Modern Holocaust.”
Washington 06/23/10 Two plastic fetuses were left in the dirt outside the property of a Planned Parenthood health center.
Iowa 06/13/10 A hole believed to have been caused by a BB gun pellet was found in the glass of the front door of a Planned Parenthood health center.
New York 06/12/10 A large group of protesters assembled on both sides of a Planned Parenthood health center entrance, held anti-choice signs, and prayed.