**UPDATE** from Kathy Upson: Well I took a ride down to Long Wharf. The theatre, where the event will be taking place, is deep within the Long Wharf complex, which has multiple entrances. There are too many entrances for us to cover without thinning our ranks, so I think we should just stay on the sidewalk on Sargent Drive around the main entrance. There is a signal light at the main entrance.
As far as parking goes, I think you can just drive in and park near the entrance. There is a Bank of America which will probably be closed and it has several parking places. Try to car pool if you can. Also, IKEA is nearby.

image

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England is having a cocktail party fundraiser at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, October 29 at 5:30 p.m.  Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, is listed as a speaker.  Our friend, pro-life rock Kathy Upson, is planning a 5:00 protest nearby the event. Please check your calendar, consider attending, and stay tuned for further details.

If PPSNE is interested in distancing itself from the baby parts scandal, inviting the embattled organization president to speak is a strange way of doing it.

Then there’s the shameless impropriety of asking for money by way of her appearance. It almost goes without saying that if you can afford one of the sponsorship levels for this event, you can probably afford to go wherever you want for basic, routine medical care — like Cecile Richards herself, who claims Planned Parenthood is “just like” where she actually receives hers. Charity Navigator indicates that PPSNE ended Fiscal Year 2014 with more than a $2 million excess; over $5 million came from government grants (a.k.a. your tax money at work). When I last viewed this page about two months ago, FY 2014 was not yet available, and the most recent information at that time showed an even larger year-end excess of almost $5 million. Primary revenue growth exceeded program expenses growth, as it appears to have done consistently for four years. CEO Judy Tabar makes approximately $350,000.

Furthermore, as we have noted, Planned Parenthood has been spared from budget cuts that affect Connecticut hospitals.

For an entity that supposedly promotes women’s health, this sure does make me feel ill. If you feel the same way, join us in demanding an end to Planned Parenthood’s plush ride in Connecticut.

image