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Dozens of Kentuckians recently gathered outside the Planned Parenthood facility in Louisville to join a nationwide movement advocating for the end of federal funding for the organization.
Kentucky Today reported that at the June 28 event, participants walked around the building in what they called a “Jericho walk,” praying and holding signs that read “DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD NOW!”
Dawn Heuglin, who serves as president of the board for Louisville Right to Life, later said the goal of the event was to challenge assumptions about abortion access and government funding.
“That’s the biggest message we need to get out, [that] abortion is not healthcare, and our taxpayer money should not be going to take the lives of innocent human beings,” she told Kentucky Today.
While Kentucky’s pro-life laws have largely shut down in-state abortion procedures, pro-life advocates note that abortion remains a present reality. Heuglin noted that abortion pills like mifepristone continue to enter the state illegally from elsewhere and that Planned Parenthood still refers women to abortion providers in other states.
“It’s a scary thing because people think that abortion is no longer an issue because it’s no longer legal in our state, except for the health of the mother, but that’s really not an accurate view,” she said.
Heuglin also spoke about the recent Senate passage of the federal budget reconciliation bill, which includes a one-year provision to defund Planned Parenthood.
While she welcomed the step, Heuglin expressed concern that the original 10-year defunding proposal had been reduced to one.
“We’re disappointed in that,” she said, “[but] hopeful that things will change and it will remain after the one year. It’s a win. It’s a victory… but also a little disappointing.”
>> ‘A monumental step’: Pro-life leaders respond to senate vote defunding Planned Parenthood <<
