Dozens rally in support of Planned Parenthood in Palm Springs

Dozens of people rallied in Palm Springs in support of Planned Parenthood and women’s reproductive rights.

“It’s not about it being defunded or not. We’re here to stay. We’ve been providing our services for the past 100 years and we’ll be providing it for 100 years more,” said Ernesto Villasenor of Planned Parenthood of the Southwest.

Dozens of Planned Parenthood supporters gathered at Frances Stevens Park to celebrate the healthcare bill set to repeal Obamacare, being pulled. One person at the rally said it won’t last long, that’s why they have to continue the fight.

“Congress refused to support it because it didn’t go far enough and so today’s a victory, we have to say yea tomorrow, we have to get right back to work,” Carlynne McDonnell of Action for Societal Change said.

Dr. Richard Loftus was at the rally. He said if the healthcare bill passed, some of his patients would go without their needed medications.

“For a lot of people in this valley, it’s a source for primary care. Even at our free clinic where we donate time as doctors and residents-in-training, we have a lot of patients who rely on services through Planned Parenthood we consider them
a partner in reaching the most vulnerable people in the valley,” Dr. Loftus said.

But he said both Obamacare or the proposed GOP bill needs some work.

“There’s some fine-tuning that needs to happen but that requires careful thought cooperation, reaching across the aisles, creativity,” Loftus said.

Speakers shared stories on why the organization is needed throughout the country. Officials with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest said they want to send a clear message that they will continue their services despite what happens in the future at the GOP.

“Reproductive justice and reproductive rights are human rights. They should not be infringed upon especially by men in congress,” Villasenor said.