— South Texas STOPP Formed in 2008; put pressure on Planned Parenthood in massive education campaign —
— Planned Parenthood denied funding at critical junctures because of STOPP pressure —
— First time since 1958 that Planned Parenthood will not have a presence in Corpus Christi —
WASHINGTON, D.C. (21 December 2010) – The following is a statement from Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League and head of Stop Planned Parenthood International (STOPP), on the decision of Planned Parenthood of South Texas, in Corpus Christi, to end its relationship with national Planned Parenthood:
“In February 2008, at the invitation of concerned citizens, members of the faith community and pro-lifers, I personally went to Corpus Christi to pray in front of the local Planned Parenthood facility. At that event, we helped kick off South Texas STOPP, an organization committed to educating the community about the evils of Planned Parenthood.
“By denying city council and hospital district funds to Planned Parenthood, it showed that the community did not support Planned Parenthood’s agenda. By getting the organization out of the Corpus Christi Independent School District, it cut off its access to children. South Texas STOPP repeatedly warned the community that Planned Parenthood is in the abortion business.
“After almost three years of prayer and activism by South Texas STOPP, the national Planned Parenthood organization insisted that the local affiliate must commit surgical and/or medical abortions. Rather than continue its relationship with Planned Parenthood and fulfill the warnings of South Texas STOPP about Planned Parenthood’s true agenda, the local affiliate has now severed its relationship with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, effective January 1, 2011.
“This will be the first time since 1958 that a Planned Parenthood facility has not operated in Corpus Christi.
“On behalf of ALL and STOPP, I praise God for this victory and commend South Texas STOPP in its heroic efforts. Though the clinic has not closed shop, through the education efforts in the community, South Texas STOPP has – in three short years – ended a five-decade reign of Planned Parenthood and its attacks on children, teens and parents.
“South Texas STOPP proves what a committed group of individuals can accomplish in such a short amount of time. American Life League and STOPP look forward to taking the South Texas STOPP model nationwide, until every Planned Parenthood clinic is closed for good.”
