Anti-Abortion Activists To Boycott Girl Scout Cookies Over Organization's Alleged Ties To Planned Parenthood
BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — Anti-abortion activists say they will boycott Girl Scout cookies this year because they claim the organization is promoting female role models who support abortion rights.
Glendale-based Shield of Roses, a crisis pregnancy organization that has been around for 30 years, has joined the American Life League's national call to cut ties with the Girl Scouts because of its alleged relationship with Planned Parenthood.
"The Girl Scouts do promote Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, as a role model to emulate. At least on some of the local levels, Planned Parenthood has come in and given talks to Girl Scout councils behind closed doors," Ana Maria Rivas, who heads Shield of Roses, said.
A spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles released a statement that said, in part, "…Girl Scouts will not tolerate special interest groups linking our name to any political issue in order to advance an agenda. Girl Scouts does not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood and does not fund Planned Parenthood."
CBS2's Serene Branson reports that some mothers she spoke with said they won't be affected by the cookie controversy.
"They do so much good and they need us to help them…and they taste good," Sibel Tawil said.
"I think it's ridiculous and it's anti-female. It's anti-woman. Clearly," Sarojini Lall said.