Thousands gathered across the country to protest outside Planned Parenthood clinics and buildings and voice their opposition to federal funding of the organization.
The demonstrations were sparked by a series of videos showing Planned Parenthood staffers talking about the extraction of fetal tissue from aborted fetuses and the selling of that tissue. According to the Associated Press, though, Planned Parenthood officials have said the videos were edited.
In Phoenix, there was a clash of opinions at 15th and Pierson streets. Demonstrations were also planned at offices in Flagstaff, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler and Flagstaff.
"It's just horrific that our country, the land of the free, is doing this to our smallest little people," Christine Engelthaler said.
"They are not just there for abortion services. Planned Parenthood does so much more than that," said Grecia Magdaleno.
Antiabortion activists in Phoenix and around the country on Saturday held protests outside Planned Parenthood clinics wanting federal funding cut to the healthcare provider.
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said, "Even those who believe Planned Parenthood was doing things to further women's health have now come to the realization that something far more horrific and evil has been going on."
Jodi Liggett with Planned Parenthood said, "That doesn't happen in Arizona at all. And, of course, nationwide the tissue donation, Planned Parenthood complies with all state and federal laws with regard to tissue donation, which is legal."
Facts aside, there will always be opinions.
"The government should defund Planned Parenthood because of the atrocities that they've been committing for all these years," Engelthaler said.
Nancy Brady said, "It is about the issue of dismembering preborn human beings."
"They think that," Ligget said. "But we believe, of course, that it is instigated so that people want to talk about defunding Planned Parenthood and ending access to abortion."
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