MORRISTOWN — Planned Parenthood supporters countered Saturday’s protest outside the local chapter by mobilizing an advocacy campaign, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.
Casey Olesko, communications manager for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, said supporters made a decision not to organize a counter-protest in Morristown — among more than 200 locations targeted nationwide — or at other locations in New Jersey.
Olesko said that, while the nationwide protests drew much attention, that demonstrations outside Planned Parenthood offices are not unusual.
“The way we feel about the protests is, they’re designed to shame our patients,” Olesko said, adding that a counter-protest risked worsening the potential disruption.
Olesko said that, as an alternative, approximately 1,300 Planned Parenthood supporters gathered Saturday and Sunday at house parties in the state’s 21 counties, and in all 12 Congressional districts, writing letters to members of Congress on behalf of the organization.
Protesters on Saturday were calling for an end of federal funding to Planned Parenthood.
Lisa Hart, an organizer of Saturday’s protest in Morristown, disputed Olesko’s characterization of their motives.
“We never, ever, ever shame a woman walking in. We offer them options,” Hart said, citing as an example the distribution of anti-abortion pamphlets.
Hart said about 120 participated in the 90-minute protest, which began at 9 a.m. She said she did not see any encounters with patients.
Olesko’s organization is the advocacy arm for Planned Parenthood.
Of the protest, Olesko said, “People should be able to get their care without intimidation and harassment or anything like that.”
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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