WASHINGTON – On Saturday, supporters crammed into a D.C. church to share stories and show solidarity with those killed in the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado last week.
Cazembe Jackson visited Planned Parenthood 15 years ago. “When I heard about it [the shooting], I was like, ‘Wow, that could have been me!’” Jackson told WTOP.
In addition to people who have used Planned Parenthood’s services, leaders from other groups, such as the SEIU, came to show support. There was even representation from the White House.
“Too often, these acts of violence are attempts to silence our voices and undermine our most cherished values: freedom, equality and opportunity,” said Tina Tchen, chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. Tchen was reading a statement from President Obama said.
Dawn Leguens, Planned Parenthood’s executive vice president, said she wanted to make sure the nonprofit’s message was clear. “We deplore your violence. We reject your threats. Our doors stay open,” said Leguens, leading the crowd in a chant.
“It is not enough to denounce the tragedy in Colorado without also denouncing the poisonous rhetoric that fueled it and the weaponry that enabled it,” she said.
A microphone was then passed around in the audience, where people were able to share their personal stories about why they were showing solidarity with Planned Parenthood.
“We’re in D.C. That happened in Colorado,” Planned Parenthood worker Jannera Cruz said. “And we’re all coming together to say, ‘Hey, we have you in our hearts right now.’”
