Driving down Mission Road Tuesday afternoon was quite a shocking
experience. As I was driving I saw a very young girl holding a sign
protesting abortion and several adult males protesting against the new
Planned Parenthood.

After reading an article in Central Michigan Life (“Planned
Parenthood opens amid debate” Sept. 8, 3A), I learned the protest was
organized by the pastor of a local church.

First, I must begin by saying I do believe in God and His son Jesus.
Although I do not attend church regularly I believe I have a good
relationship with Him.

Second, I do not believe I would ever be able to go through with an
abortion, or that abortion should be used as a form of birth control.

However, I do not believe that Jesus gave His life on the cross so
that other people can point their index finger in a young woman’s face
and tell her she can not make her own decisions regarding her body. I
also do not believe that I have any right to tell women that having an
abortion is wrong because it is not right for me.

Living in the United States gives us many rights, the freedom of
religion, the right to free speech, the right to protest and the right
to make our own decisions.

I find it very ironic that through my travels by the protest sight I
have not seen one female between the ages of 18-26, an age group most
likely to utilize Planned Parenthood services.

I applaud Planned Parenthood for coming into this community. Your
programs help to educate young women and help them find avenues to
protect themselves if they choose to be sexually active. I hope the
Pastor in question can organize protests five times a week and one
Saturday a month, but I also hope that the women in this area will seek
the services Planned Parenthood offers in an effort to protect
themselves and their partners.

Michelle M. Meschke
Brooklyn junior

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