From "Residents Say Planned Parenthood Lied on Giant Abortion Mill Application - City Investigates" by Hilary White, posted 8/29/07 at Lifesite.org
City authorities in Aurora Illinois, near Chicago may be having second thoughts about the opening of the largest American Planned Parenthood abortion mill in their town. The 22,000 square-foot, $7.5 million facility is scheduled to open for business September 18.
The city has hired Chicago attorney Richard Martens to review the process by which the facility, nick-named the “Abortion Fortress” for its high brick walls, was approved in November 2006. At a public meeting earlier this week, local residents accused Planned Parenthood of “sneaking” into the city under an assumed name.
"This is definitely a rare occurrence," city spokesman Carie Anne Ergo told The Beacon News. "I don't know of another instance in which the city has done this."
Eric Scheidler, communications director for the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, told local media that he was pleased the city was taking the step. "I don't have the disadvantage of being a lawyer," he said. "I'm just a guy who thinks that if you lie to government officials, you ought to be held accountable.”
...But the decision to investigate came after local residents voiced a different opinion at a town meeting on Tuesday. City officials heard from the future neighbours of the abortion facility that Planned Parenthood “snuck” into their town by lying to officials and going through the application process under the name Gemini Development Corp. The city was only informed of the true nature of the venture a month ago. Planned Parenthood has a 30-day temporary occupancy permit, which expires September 17.
At Tuesday’s public meeting, 120 people signed up to speak and the presentations went until after 11 pm. The Daily Herald quotes Pastor Mark Smith at the meeting saying, “We could not debate these issues because they were not brought forward.”
A friend who attended the meeting wrote this inspiring eye-witness account:
I got home from the City Council meeting at 2:10 a.m. It was the most remarkable display of citizenship at work that I have ever witnessed. One hundred and twenty two people had signed up to speak. After a motion failed that would have ended the debate at 9:00 p.m. the members of the council sat and listened for hours as one after another of the people of Aurora got up and told their stories. So moving, so passionate, so well informed, so honest. So right!
There were two women from NOW who spoke in support of Planned Parenthood. Everyone else gave the aldermen quite an education that night. One guy used his three minutes to ask the people to get on their knees and pray with him. And they did. Young and old, story after story until 1:35 a.m. The room was packed to overflowing with people also standing in the hallway outside. Probably about 400 people in all. Numbers don't tell the story, though. You really would have been amazed at how well the citizens performed. And so proud to be a pro-lifer.
And the Gigantic Pro-Life Rally was definitely that. In spite of threatening weather the people just kept coming. The police had estimated about 1,300 were there. And the sun shone on them after all. All ages, from all over. Congratulations again on a job well done.
Then the Teen Rally was another remarkable event. They had 500 tee shirts and they ran out. There were many teens there in their own pro-life tee shirts, also. There were moms and dads and younger siblings - at least 750, if not more in total. Just a fantastic day for the young people. Our hope for the future.
Most amazing of all is that the 40 Day Prayer Vigil continues unabated through some of that terrible weather we've been having. Men and women, teens, little kids and babies are out there all day and all night. Your sacrifice is very much appreciated. History is happening in Aurora and you are a witness to it.
When we were fighting the clinic in Glen Ellyn that opened a little over five years ago, we requested to be heard at their open board meeting. They were very courteous and even set up chairs and a big screen TV for the overflow people in the big gymnasiam. There were about 1,200 people there, the most that had every attended an open board meeting. They listened to us but they didn't hear us.
The City Council heard what the people were saying the other night. They learned things they had never heard before. I am really optimistic that they may be able to do something to keep this evil out of their community. Hope you're still praying, even if you can't be at 3051 E. New York Street, those prayers at home are so important also.
Would you be willing to stand with these wonderful people -- or even just fast and pray? Here's a website where you can get more information.
