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Judge Denies Injunction to Allow Aurora Planned Parenthood to Open

A federal judge on Thursday denied Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area’s request for an injunction that would have allowed its new clinic in Aurora, Illinois to open as scheduled. The city of Aurora has refused to allow the new facility to open until it completes an investigation into how the clinic obtained building permits. The refusal came after hundreds of anti-abortion activists rallied outside the facility and crowded into city hall meetings to oppose the clinic.

“Today’s ruling is a disappointment and will only serve to encourage the campaign of harassment and intimidation being waged by anti-choice extremists against health care providers and their patients nationwide,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The judge did, however, encourage Planned Parenthood’s lawyers to amend their motion, saying, “By no means is this case over,” the Chicago Tribune reports.

The ruling has forced Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area to cancel 13 appointments that were scheduled for Tuesday. “Although the case is still open, today’s decision prevents access to important health care services that the new clinic would offer including sexually transmitted disease treatment, breast cancer screening, and abortion care,” said Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation.

“We are confident that when the additional material is reviewed, our health center will be allowed to open its doors,” said Steve Trombley, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area.

Sources:

Chicago Tribune 9/23/07; Feminist Daily News 9/18/07; National Abortion Federation Press Release 9/20/07; Planned Parenthood Federation of America Press Release 9/20/07; Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area Press Release 9/20/07

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