By Jim Sedlak
It is a new year and Planned Parenthood Federation of America has a new president, but it is again clear that Planned Parenthood is wedded to its abortion business—even at the expense of some of its wealthier donors.
Two years ago, the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, the pro-abortion women in the country held a major rally—the Women’s March. Although billed as an “inclusive” event open to all women, several pro-life women’s groups that tried to join the event were denied participation. The Women’s March was the idea of some women across the country, but was quickly co-opted by Planned Parenthood, NOW, and other aggressively pro-abortion groups.
The Women’s March was held again in 2018. Although significantly smaller in size than the original, it served as a rallying point, and Planned Parenthood and NOW were, once again, in the forefront.
As a recent New York Times article documented, from its beginning, the people leading the Women’s March were involved in charges of anti-Semitism. One of the original women involved was Jewish, but felt she was edged out of leadership functions because of her faith. She did not make a big public issue of it, as she was more interested in seeing the Women’s March succeed.
As preparations were being made for the 2019 Women’s March, a major rift, which had been brewing for two years, developed in the movement. The charges of anti-Semitism became public and caused quite a bit of backlash. The issue prompted a feature article in Tablet Magazine. The evidence became so overwhelming that a number of groups began disassociating from this year’s Women’s March.
According to published reports, National Organization for Women’s Baton Rouge chapter posted to the New Orleans Women’s March event on Facebook that it was cancelling the demonstration; the Washington state chapter of the Women’s March announced its decision to disband; and the National Organization for Women announced it “will withhold direct financial support until the current questions regarding leadership are resolved.”
The New York Times article mentioned above reported that “there will be two marches on the same day next month on the streets of New York: one led by the Women’s March group, which is billed as being led by women of color, and another by a group affiliated with March On that is stressing its denunciation of anti-Semitism.”
In the midst of all this controversy, Planned Parenthood issued a statement of support for the Women’s March. In the statement to Refinery29, Erica Sackin, senior communications director for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said: “Over the last two years, we’ve seen unprecedented attacks on our health and rights from the Trump-Pence administration. The Women’s March has become a symbol of our collective resistance to these damaging and discriminatory policies and Planned Parenthood is proud to once again, join our progressive partners for the #WomensWave mobilization to protect and advance the progress we’ve made as a movement dedicated to equity and justice for all people.”
Although Planned Parenthood seeks to divert attention from the charges of anti-Semitism against the Women’s March leaders, this is disingenuous. One of the big supporters of Planned Parenthood is the National Council of Jewish Women. Its CEO, Nancy K. Kaufman, wrote an article in 2015 entitled “Why Supporting Planned Parenthood Is a Jewish Issue.” The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego (CA), just last November, took donors on a tour and site visit of Planned Parenthood, saying it was a “great opportunity to network and learn about a wonderful organization.” Last May, in Cleveland, Rabbi Jon Adland of Temple Israel in Canton, Jean Sarlson, and Drs. Cheryl and Mickey Weinstein accepted Partners In Care Awards from Planned Parenthood.
These are just a few examples of the great support Planned Parenthood has found among members of the Jewish faith. Yet, when it comes time to decide whether it should distance itself from a clearly anti-Semitic organization, with ties to Louis Farrakhan, or pursuing a political agenda, Planned Parenthood chooses the political agenda.
The question is, how will Jewish leaders in America respond to Planned Parenthood throwing them under the bus?
Jim Sedlak is executive director of American Life League, founder of STOPP International, and host of a weekly talk show on the Radio Maria Network. He has been successfully fighting Planned Parenthood since 1985.