A Madison-based Black Lives Matter group held a protest Saturday morning at the Dane County Farmers’ Market targeting Planned Parenthood.
Terry Lyon, founder of All Black Lives Matter Madison, handed out pamphlets titled “Planned Parenthood and Racism,” at his booth outside the Capitol building.
Lyon’s goal was to conduct a peaceful protest that focused on educating people on Planned Parenthood and its founder, Margaret Sanger, who was active with the Ku Klux Klan during the 20th century, according to the pamphlet.
“This is to talk to people — those who have a different opinion, those who don’t have an opinion and don’t know who Margaret Sanger was, and to come into contact who are like-minded and get more information out,” Lyon said.
Several small booths lined the sidewalk surrounding the Capitol. Most were tucked several yards away from the sidewalk, but Lyon’s booth sat directly next to the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Lyon’s pamphlets, accompanied by a sign at his booth, attracted the attention of some passersby, but many farmers’ market attendees were focused on the surrounding stalls selling goods. Lyon single-handedly passed out flyers from eight in the morning to one in the afternoon.
There were no incidents reported to the Madison Police Department in relation to the demonstration, MPD Sgt. William Quast said.
All Black Lives Matter has held two similar demonstrations at the Park Street Planned Parenthood.
Just a few yards down the sidewalk, Planned Parenthood had a booth set up, but had not had any contact with Lyon during the course of the protest.
President of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, Teri Huyck said opposed racism within Planned Parenthood in a statement .
“There is no room for racism in the work we do every day to keep our patients healthy,” Huyck said in the statement.