FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, WeatherAbortions in Collier County
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It's the first time women have been able to get an abortion in Collier County since 1996. Monday, Planned Parenthood in Naples began offering first trimester abortions for the first time. But the new service is not getting a warm welcome from some people in the community.
Prayers and protestors surround the Naples Planned Parenthood. Police and Deputies stand by to make sure the protest stays peaceful. Dozens of people waved anti-abortion signs and handed out pro-life pamphlets to people passing by.
"It gives me a cold chill right around my heart," said Liz Suarez. "I'm so sad for these women, I'm so sad for the babies." There was at least one person present in support of choice.
"It's her absolute right, no one else's, not her husband's, her family's, her doctor's, it's her decision and that's where it should be," said John Mitchell.
Planned Parenthood visitors who could be coming to the center for a variety of reasons, walked in shielded by volunteers holding umbrellas.
The President of Planned Parenthood of Collier County refused to talk on camera but did answer some of my questions over the phone. Char Wendel told me its center had a relatively full schedule on its opening day but wouldn't give an exact number. According to a written statement, "Abortion services comprise 3% of Planned Parenthood's total services nationwide."
As protestors battled the heat, they remained peaceful over a heated topic.
The Planned Parenthood in Naples is not the only office that offers abortion services. Planned Parenthood in Fort Myers offers the abortion pill procedure.
MARISA MENDELSON
mmendelson@fox4now.com
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