Wash. Wal-Mart Drops Planned Parenthood Partnership

Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of surgical abortions, won't be hosting an advertising event this week that would have promoted its services among youth outside a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Washington State, thanks to the prompt reaction and grassroots efforts of pro-life groups.

According to the American Life League (ALL), a large Richland Wal-Mart Supercenter dropped its association with the pro-choice group after a statement sent out by ALL called on pro-life advocates to bombard the retailer with hundreds of protesting e-mails and phone calls.

"They're pushing pornography and contraception onto young children – beginning in kindergarten. Now parents aren't even safe to go shopping without worrying Planned Parenthood will pressure their kids into promiscuous lifestyles that will increase their bloated birth control and abortion profits," said Marie Hahnenberg, a researcher for American Life League, in the statement.

"Planned Parenthood is now in such desperate need of customers it's willing to do anything – even stand outside shopping centers to lure young people into its clinics," she added.

After the Richland Wal-Mart Supercenter dropped its association with Planned Parenthood, Hahnenberg thanked the retailer for "taking a stand against Planned Parenthood.

"In the spirit of Sam Walton, Wal-Mart has put the best interest of its customers first and they are to be commended for their decision," said Hahnenberg in a new statement.

While claiming victory against the pro-choice organization, Hahnenberg stressed that pro-life groups would do good in continuing to oppose efforts by the organization in promoting its harmful agenda.

"It's hard enough for parents to safeguard their children from Planned Parenthood's pervasive sexualized propaganda," she said.

"They shouldn't have to worry about exposing their kids to Planned Parenthood's aggressive agenda even in Wal-Mart's parking lot," she added.

Pro-life groups say that the recent move by Planned Parenthood is proof of its new desperation that has emerged after the organization has been increasingly challenged in lawsuits regarding its use of taxpayer funding in promoting its "comprehensive" sex education programs.

Planned Parenthood is currently in the midst of a special fundraising drive, claiming that its "crucial education and health services are needed more than ever."

According to a report released by Planned Parenthood this year, the organization recorded record profits and the highest number of abortions on record. During the 2006-2007 period, the group performed 289,570 abortions and registered over $1 billion in profits.