Land Deal with Planned Parenthood Ended

June 5, 2008

Land Deal with Planned Parenthood Ended

In a decision praised by pro-life activists this week, Habitat for Humanity (Sarasota, Fla.) has terminated its connection with Planned Parenthood, the local chapter of the nation’s largest provider of abortions — and will not go through with a reported land deal, reports cnsnews.com.

“In early May, Sarasota Habitat had agreed to buy a piece of land from Planned Parenthood for $10 and agreed to build multi-family housing” on the property in the Rosemary District north of downtown Sarasota, said Jim Sedlak, vice president for American Life League (ALL), in a recent news release. “This agreement allowed Planned Parenthood to fulfill a zoning requirement it needed to get an occupancy permit for a new abortion facility it is building” on the site, he added. Sedlak said he considered it shameful for an organization like Habitat to partner with a group that so obviously contradicted its goals of providing a “simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety” for everyone. “I don’t see how building a residence next to an organization that kills babies, pushes pornography, and covers up for rapists gives a family dignity or safety,” he said. He is “extremely pleased” with the board’s decision.

Duane Bates, director of public and media relations for the national Habitat organization, told CNS that “Habitat for Humanity of Sarasota has declined a donation of land from Planned Parenthood, stating that accepting the land ‘would not be in the best interests of our ongoing work in the community, the families we seek to serve or the broader Habitat for Humanity community.’” He noted that “Habitat for Humanity of Sarasota is an independent, autonomous affiliate that is governed by a local board of directors that establishes policies at the local level.”

Posted in Abortion, Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood