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The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Post-Colorado shooting, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says they’re ‘not going anywhere’

Organization will continue to provide services, assess facilities’ security
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Robert Lewis Dear Jr. entered a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs Friday, shooting 12 people and killing three, but Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said in a statement Monday its facilities will continue to function as normal.

Teri Huyck, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said in the statement the health and safety of its patients is Planned Parenthood’s top priority, and it will continue to assess security measures.

“Planned Parenthood has strong security measures in place to ensure that our health centers are safe, supportive, welcoming environments for all people accessing the high-quality health care they need,” Huyck said.

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Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, extended her condolences to the victims of the shooting in a statement Tuesday, and said she was glad to see Planned Parenthood was not closing its facilities.

Taylor also touted her co-authored Patients Reproductive Health Care Act, which is legislation intended to allow doctors to recommend treatment based on their expertise rather than law.

“Despite this horrible act of violence, I was heartened to see that Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are keeping their doors open and won’t be intimidated by this cowardly act,” Taylor said. “This attack is a reminder to legislators, commentators and talking heads that rhetoric and words are important.”

Pro-Life Wisconsin condemned the Colorado shooting in a blog post Monday.

In the post, state director Dan Miller said Pro-Life Wisconsin is categorically opposed to murder, and dignity of human life should be upheld at all stages of life — but that does not change the organization’s stance on abortion.

“Abortion destroys peace and creates a culture of violence and disrespect for human life,” Miller said.

Miller culminated his post with a quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta, saying “If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?”

Still, Huyck said in the Planned Parenthood statement that as Wisconsin’s oldest reproductive health care provider, its clinics “are not going anywhere.”

“The hateful and inflammatory rhetoric that has fueled a range of attacks on Planned Parenthood will not stop us from providing the health care necessary to keep the people of Wisconsin safe, healthy and strong,” Huyck said.

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