Springs Planned Parenthood reopens for first time since shooting
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains reopened its Colorado Springs facility on Feb. 15.
The facility in the 3400 block of Centennial Boulevard on the west side, has been closed since a shooting there on Black Friday. Robert Dear is accused of opening fire at the clinic, killing three people and injuring nine others.
Planned Parenthood says it will resume offering sexual and reproductive health services in one part of the building, as construction and repair work continues in other parts of the building.
“We are in awe of our healing and resilient colleagues in Colorado Springs. They are eager to get back to the mission they so deeply care about and the people they so compassionately care for. We welcome our team and our community back into the space with open arms and full hearts,” said Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains President and CEO Vicki Cowart.
Planned Parenthood says the safety of its patients and staff is a top priority and that strong and increased security measures are in place.
“We stand, stronger than ever, for the belief that every person in this community, this country, and around the world deserves access to reproductive health care without fear of harassment or violence,” Cowart said.
It’s expected to take a few more months of repairs before the facility can fully reopen. The clinic is partially open, but not everyone is happy about that decision.
“I had a feeling this day would come. We heard all kinds of rumors, people hoped and prayed they wouldn’t reopen,” said Joseph Martone, an anti-abortion advocate.
Martone spent every Thursday protesting outside the clinic since the day of the shooting.
“What they stand for I’m still against. Babies are going to die again this week, next week. The way I look at it, if only they would understand they are ending a life and trust God to do the right thing they wouldn’t be in the position to go there,” said Martone.
Protesters of different beliefs lined up outside the clinic Monday morning.
“I believe it is a women’s choice to decide what she gets to do with her own body and you shouldn’t tell her what she can and can’t do,” said River Atkinson, anti-abortion activist.
The reopening also served as a time to remember the lives lost.
“We know that officer Garret Swasey was a Christian. We know he was here to protect the lives and ended up loosing his. But he still would have agreed with us standing here,” said Rebekah Fish, anti-abortion activist.
The clinic plans on honoring the victims in some type of way.
“We’ve actually got a team of folks working on the idea to do something that is both uplifting and in remembrance of that day and the folks who lost their lives,” said Cowart.
Planned Parenthood says most of their appointments have been filled for the week.
